Revealed: the undisclosed safety data emerging as weedkiller maker faces Parkinson’s lawsuits in US
Summary
The weedkiller paraquat has been banned by many countries because it may cause Parkinson’s disease. In the US, some states also banned it, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still allows its use. Internal company records show that Syngenta, the main maker of paraquat, kept some safety information hidden from the EPA while promoting studies showing the chemical was safe.Key Facts
- Sweden called for a paraquat ban in 2004, and many other countries followed.
- China stopped using paraquat after its own safety studies showed risks.
- Vermont and California recently banned paraquat due to health concerns.
- California regulators said paraquat makers agreed to stop sales after new health research.
- The US EPA continues to allow paraquat use on millions of acres.
- Syngenta’s internal records show the company did not share key safety data with the EPA.
- Hidden information included how paraquat could pass through clothing and absorb into skin, especially when mixed with surfactants (chemicals that help herbicides stick to leaves).
- Syngenta used secret tactics to downplay the weedkiller’s link to Parkinson’s disease in court cases.
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