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Commercial farming and agriculture operations in the United States work hard to increase crop yield while decreasing invasive weeds and grass. Herbicides are a group of chemicals used to manipulate or control the widespread growth of unwanted plants and vegetation. While these chemicals can help maximize crop productivity, studies show that many common herbicides harm humans. Exposure to some of these chemicals, chemicals like paraquat, can cause debilitating and life-changing illnesses and medical conditions.
Learn more about paraquat exposure, how it can affect your health, and what you can do to take steps toward receiving justice.
Paraquat dichloride is one of the most used herbicides in the world. Its use became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s, the United States government provided the chemical to the Mexican government in hopes they would use paraquat to kill drug crops like poppy and marijuana in the country. In the 1980s, paraquat was used to kill marijuana crops in Georgia. Today, farmers and those in the agriculture industry still use paraquat to help control the growth and spread of grass and weeds that can choke out crops, hurting their crop yield and bottom line.
In the United States, paraquat is available as a liquid herbicide with various strengths. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies the herbicide as “restricted use,” meaning it can only be purchased and applied by licensed applicators. Still, it remains highly accessible and widely used across the nation.
Unfortunately, paraquat is also a highly toxic and poisonous chemical agent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Acute exposure to the chemical can cause significant side effects. Long-term exposure to the chemical can lead to severe illness and chronic medical conditions.
Paraquat is a toxic chemical. It can cause significant damage to human tissues, and which tissue is harmed depends on the exposure method. It can also trigger dangerous chemical reactions in the body, particularly in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Gastrointestinal issues are common when ingested, while breathing problems and damage to sensitive mucus membranes in the body are common with inhalation.
Some of the signs of acute paraquat exposure can include:
Ingestion or inhalation of paraquat can cause significant health problems such as:
Seek medical attention immediately if you ingested paraquat or were exposed to the chemical when not wearing personal protective equipment.
Studies continue to reveal that long-term paraquat exposure may increase the chance of developing significant and chronic illnesses and medical conditions. The most significant finding is that paraquat exposure elevates an individual’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It impacts the brain and the central nervous system, disrupting how the central nervous system communicates with the rest of the body. The disease slowly causes the neurons in the brain to break down. Eventually, these cells die. These neurons are responsible for creating a chemical called dopamine, which is the body’s primary chemical messenger. Dopamine helps control muscle movement and emotional responses, among other functions. When the neurons die, dopamine levels decrease, leading to irregular brain activity and problems with movement and mobility.
Scientists are still studying the exact mechanism of how paraquat leads to Parkinson’s disease. However, researchers know paraquat works by breaking down the bonds between oxygen atoms in weeds and plants. The oxygen atoms get freed from the molecules of the living cells. However, those cells are destroyed in the process, leading to plant death.
Some research suggests that when humans get exposed to paraquat, it causes damage to an area of the brain called the substantia nigra, pars compacta. The damage eventually kills neurons in the brain.
Parkinson’s disease can be initially difficult to diagnose and identify. The symptoms of Parkinson’s vary and present differently in different people. Early signs of the illness can appear mild. However, Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative disease. Over time, the symptoms become worse and more pronounced. Signs of the illness can include:
Typically, symptoms appear to impact one side of the body. Eventually, the issues impact limbs on both sides of the body. Medications may help improve the symptoms associated with the disease, but currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Paraquat is a “restricted use” chemical. Only licensed applicators can purchase and apply the herbicide. However, since it is an herbicide, it often gets sprayed in open fields and farmland. Those not directly working with the chemical may still be exposed to it. That makes some individuals more likely to encounter paraquat than others.
People who may regularly be exposed to the harmful chemical paraquat can include:
Despite cases of significant and adverse health effects, paraquat is still regularly used in the United States. Other regions like the European Union, China, and Brazil have banned the use of the chemical as an herbicide.
Its widespread use means numerous farmers, agricultural workers, and families living near farmland may have been exposed to the harmful effects of paraquat. How do you know if you are entitled to seek compensation for paraquat exposure? There are two primary questions you need to answer. Have you been exposed to the toxic chemical paraquat? Were you recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? If the answer to both questions is yes, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your financial losses.
First, fill out this short questionnaire for more information about whether you can file a paraquat exposure lawsuit. Next, talk to an experienced and knowledgeable paraquat lawyer with Law Experts. We can review your situation and outline your options for seeking meaningful compensation for your injuries brought on by paraquat exposure.
The value of a paraquat exposure lawsuit is dependent on numerous factors. Let a resourceful attorney evaluate your unique situation and calculate the total value of your financial losses. However, in many cases, individuals may seek compensation for the following:
Discuss your case with a lawyer today for help navigating the legal process.
It can be challenging to prove that your Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is related to paraquat exposure. Companies do not want to be on the hook for your medical expenses and other losses. Instead, they want to limit their liability and divert blame. They may attempt to point to lifestyle choices and a family history of disease as the reason you are suffering. It takes an aggressive and resourceful attorney to fight back against the tactics of big businesses to pursue the money you deserve.
Substantial evidence is vital to proving your case. Documentation that can help build a compelling case in your favor may include the following:
You have legal rights. Let an attorney protect them for you and fight back against company strategies that prevent you from getting the money you justly deserve after you were harmed by a poisonous product.
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