Paraquat Exposure

What Is Paraquat Used For?

Paraquat is used as an herbicide and weed killer to prevent the growth of weeds and grass near crops on commercial farms, estates, plantations, and orchards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified paraquat as a “restricted-use pesticide,” which means it’s only available to licensed commercial applicators, not private homeowners.

Sold under brand names like Gramoxone^®, paraquat is a common alternative for weeds that have become resistant to glyphosate, an ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup^®.

Despite the known dangers of this toxic chemical and the thousands of lawsuits filed nationwide, paraquat is still one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States.

Recognizing Paraquat Chemicals

Because of its high toxicity, paraquat purchased in the U.S. has several safeguards added to it to help prevent people from accidentally consuming it.

These safeguards include a:

• Blue dye to distinguish it from beverages
• Chemical agent that induces vomiting if consumed
• Strong odor for caution

When purchased outside of the U.S., paraquat may not have these additional safeguards, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning.

Importantly, these precautions don’t protect workers who are exposed to paraquat on the job, whether they apply it themselves or are around coworkers using it.

Who’s at Risk of Paraquat Exposure & Parkinson’s?

Certain groups face a higher risk of exposure to paraquat due to the nature of their work or proximity to areas where this chemical is used, making them more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

Those most at risk of paraquat exposure include:

• Anyone who lives near where paraquat is used
• Applicators who handle, mix, or spray paraquat
• Farmers, farmworkers, landscapers, and agricultural workers
• Residents of rural areas near farmland sprayed with paraquat
• Those who work with or around professional-grade pesticides

Workers with frequent, long-term contact have the greatest risk. Their repeated exposure increases the chance of paraquat entering the body through the skin, inhalation, or accidental ingestion.

However, exposure isn’t limited to those who apply paraquat. Family members and others living near treated areas can also be affected by chemical drift from spraying, increasing their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease even without direct contact.

What Crops Is Paraquat Used On?

Between 10 million and 15 million pounds of paraquat were used on American crops, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Some crops that paraquat is used on include:

• Alfalfa and hay
• Corn
• Cotton
• Fruit
• Orchards and vineyards
• Rice
• Soybeans
• Vegetables
• Wheat

As a result, agricultural laborers and those living in close proximity to where paraquat is sprayed are at especially high risk of developing Parkinson’s.

Paraquat and Golf Courses

Paraquat was used on golf courses for land and turf control. Golf courses are large, weed-prone properties with constant pressure to keep playing surfaces consistent, fast, and visually clean. Grounds crews used paraquat because it worked quickly and decisively, especially in areas where weeds threatened turf quality or interfered with maintenance schedules.

Importantly, paraquat wasn’t limited to greens and fairways. It was commonly used in roughs, drainage ditches, cart paths, fence lines, equipment areas, and non-play zones, where weed overgrowth could affect course function and appearance.

Exposure risks weren’t limited to golfers brushing against turf, but extended to groundskeepers, maintenance workers, mechanics, and others who worked on or around treated areas repeatedly over long periods. For people who spent years working on golf courses, paraquat exposure often came from routine job duties — not from a single incident.

Living within 1 mile of a golf course more than doubles the odds of developing Parkinson’s due to on-field paraquat use.

Exposure to Paraquat & Side Effects

Exposure to paraquat can cause neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. However, these conditions don’t show up right away.

Immediate side effects of paraquat exposure include:

• Breathing difficulties or failure, potentially resulting in death
• Coma
• Confusion
• Dehydration
• Elevated heart rate
• Gastrointestinal distress (like nausea, diarrhea, bloody stool, and vomiting)
• Muscle fatigue or weakness
• Pain and swelling of the mouth and throat
• Seizures

If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s after being exposed to the herbicide paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation.

Paraquat Ban Urged Over Parkinson’s Links

Growing scientific evidence linking paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease has led to increasing calls for a nationwide ban. Health experts, advocacy groups, and affected families argue that the risks far outweigh any agricultural benefits.

They point to studies showing how paraquat’s toxins can damage the brain and trigger the neurological symptoms associated with Parkinson’s.

“Paraquat is a deadly pesticide with irreversible health impacts. We call on EPA to prioritize the health and safety of our farmworkers over the re-registration of this toxic product.”
– Alexis Luckey, Executive Director of Toxic Free North Carolina

Despite the lack of a federal ban, some states are working to protect their residents. California, for example, passed a bill requiring its Department of Pesticide Regulation to reevaluate the use of the herbicide.

Banning paraquat is an important step toward pushing for stronger safety measures, preventing future cases of Parkinson’s, and safeguarding farmworkers and communities from harm.

Who Makes Paraquat Herbicide?

Paraquat, a highly toxic weed killer, is primarily manufactured and sold by two major chemical companies:

• Syngenta: This global agrochemical company, based in Switzerland, is the main manufacturer of paraquat sold under the brand name Gramoxone. Syngenta has been a key player in the production and distribution of paraquat for decades.
• Chevron USA Inc.: In the U.S., Chevron partnered with Syngenta and their predecessor companies to sell and distribute paraquat from the 1960s through the 1980s. The company stopped selling the herbicide after being named in multiple paraquat lawsuits.

Internal communications indicate that Chevron knew of the health risks associated with paraquat for decades.

One letter written by the company’s toxicologist in 1974 discussed a conversation with a doctor who referred to a condition caused by repeated exposure as “paraquat syndrome,” which included symptoms like chest tightness and severe headaches.

In 1986, Chevron stopped selling paraquat, insisting that the decision was based on business reasons and not health concerns.

Paraquat Herbicide Products

Paraquat dichloride is the active ingredient in multiple commercial herbicides used to control weeds and grasses in agricultural settings. These products are sold under various brand names, many of which are still in use today despite growing health concerns.

Herbicides that contain paraquat include:

• Cyclone™
• Devour^®
• Firestorm
• Gramoxone
• Helmquat
• Para-Shot^®
• Parazone
• Quik-Quat^®

If you worked with or around any of these herbicides and have since been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may be eligible to take legal action against the companies that made or sold these products.

Get Help for Parkinson’s Disease from Paraquat Exposure

If you or someone you love developed Parkinson’s disease after being exposed to paraquat, you may be eligible for compensation.

We work with experienced paraquat lawsuit attorneys who can stand up to powerful companies like Syngenta and Chevron, evening the playing field for everyday people.

Our legal partners have recovered billions of dollars for victims of injustice across the country.

The paraquat attorneys in our network can help families in all 50 states and never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees.

Call (866) 534-7978 now for a free case review to see if an experienced paraquat lawyer can fight for you.