Vermont has enacted a ban on paraquat, a widely used herbicide, making it the first U.S. state to take such action. The decision by lawmakers was influenced by concerns over a potential link between the weed killer and Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 1 million Americans.
Advocates have lauded Vermont's move, expressing hope that it will inspire similar legislation in other states. The Michael J. Fox Foundation, a major funder of Parkinson's research, views the ban as a significant shift in the public discourse surrounding the herbicide.
Paraquat was first introduced in the United States in 1964 and has since become a popular choice for farmers. It is known for its high toxicity, being fatal if ingested and capable of causing chronic health issues upon contact. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires specialized training for certified paraquat applicators due to the risks, particularly for farmworkers.
Despite its use in crops such as soybeans, cotton, and corn, as well as fruits like apples and grapes, dozens of countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and China, have previously banned the substance. In 2018, over 10 million pounds of paraquat were reportedly used in the U.S., primarily in the South, Midwest, and California.
Arguments persist regarding paraquat's safety and its connection to Parkinson's disease. The herbicide's manufacturer, Syngenta, has stated that extensive scientific studies have not established a causal link. Syngenta announced earlier this year its decision to cease global manufacturing and sales of paraquat, though other companies continue to market the chemical. Syngenta defends the herbicide, asserting it is quickly absorbed by weeds and becomes immobilized upon contact with soil, thus not contaminating the environment.
Conversely, some epidemiologists and Parkinson's advocacy groups maintain that environmental factors, including pesticide exposure, can elevate the risk of developing the disease. They argue there is no safe way to use paraquat.
The ban is set to take effect on November 1. However, farmers utilizing paraquat for fruit-producing orchards, berries, and small fruit crops will have until 2030 to find alternatives. Some farmers express concern that the ban could negatively impact their profit margins, as alternative herbicides may be more costly or require careful application to avoid damaging crops. Other methods like mechanical tilling, crop rotation, and hand weeding are also options but involve increased labor costs.
The EPA is currently reviewing the safety of paraquat, having previously stated that no clear link to Parkinson's disease has been identified.