Efforts To Ban Paraquat In The United States
In July 2019, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez of New York introduced the Protect Against Paraquat Act of 2019 to end the use of paraquat in the United States. As of July 2021, the bill has not yet passed in the House of Representatives. It has only been passed between a few committees and subcommittees. However, this is not unexpected. Introducing a bill in Congress is often the first step to educating Representatives and Senators about a particular issue and why legislation needs to change.
Additionally, the EPA reviews all herbicides every 15 years to make sure manufacturers comply with federal safety standards. The EPA began reviewing paraquat in 2017 and was supposed to make a final decision about future use by October 2022. In October 2020, the EPA approved the continued use of paraquat as a restricted-use substance. Activists have submitted petitions to the EPA regarding the use of paraquat to show EPA and Congress that wide support exists for the ban of the herbicide. The fight to ban paraquat continues in the U.S. even though manufacturers remain aware of the dangers.
After Exposure To Paraquat The Ferraro Law Firm Can Fight For You
The Ferraro Law Firm has won verdicts of $28,000,000 and $70,102,000. Since 1985, we have recovered billions on behalf of our clients. We also have an unmatched record of having verdicts affirmed on appeal. Our appeals have built Floridas product liability and toxic tort law. We have advanced the ways that Florida courts admit scientific evidence.
When you hire The Ferraro Law Firm, you get our tireless advocacy and aggressive representation. For over 35 years, Mr. Ferraro has focused his career on toxic tort, asbestos and mass tort litigation. Now, we are ready to take on Paraquat and Parkinsons. It is time to let The Ferraro Law Firm fight for you.
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What herbicides contain Paraquat?
Paraquat is sold under dozens of brand names, including Gramoxone, Para-SHOT, Blanco, Bonfire, Helmquat, Parazone, and many more.
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Is Paraquat in Roundup?
Although Roundup does not contain Paraquat, it does contain glyphosate, which has been linked recently to non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
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How long does Paraquat stay in the human body?
Paraquat is excreted quickly, within just a day or two. But even after Paraquat has been flushed from your system, it can still cause health problems.
How Can You Be Exposed To Paraquat
You can encounter paraquat hazards in one of the following ways:
- Inhalation: Paraquat exposure is dangerous. Inhaling hazardous herbicides can damage the lungs. Inhalation occurs when you breathe in the aerosolized chemical or smoke a plant tainted with paraquat. Traces of paraquat have been found in marijuana in the US.
- Eating or Drinking: The toxic herbicide easily mixes into drinks and foods, making consumption through ingestion or drinking deadly. A strong odor, dye, and vomiting agents are added to paraquat in the US to minimize the risk of exposure through accidental ingestion.
- Skin Contact: If paraquat comes into direct contact with skin, it can cause harm, especially if the paraquat exposure has been ongoing for a long time. Moreover, the effect of exposure to paraquat is higher if there’s a rash or open wound upon contact.
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Study: Potential Link Between Parkinsons Disease And A Widely
One of the countrys most widely-used herbicides could be linked to an increase in early deaths from Parkinsons disease for people who live near farmlands, according to new research in Washington.
Parkinsons is a neurodegenerative disease that causes muscles to stop functioning properly. There are no known cures.
New research conducted in some of Washingtons most productive agricultural regions suggests glyphosate, the active ingredient in the popular herbicide Roundup, could be linked to more people dying from Parkinsons disease before they turn 75.
I remember sitting in the office, and I think we were all looking at each other and thinking, Wow, thats serious, said Mariah Caballero, the studys lead author.
The research team studied land-use maps from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that showed agricultural chemical applications and death data from the Washington Department of Health. In some cases, the researchers found that people living within 1 kilometer of an area that had sprayed glyphosate were nearly one-third more likely to die from Parkinsons disease before reaching the age of 75.
Caballero, a senior at Vassar College, conducted the research at Washington State Universitys Community Health and Spatial Epidemiology Lab. The study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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Is Roundup In Paraquat
Roundup also known as glyphosate and paraquat are both herbicides, but they contain different chemicals.
Paraquat is more poisonous than glyphosate and is 28 times more acutely toxic, according to a report by the Pesticide Action Network. Because of its toxicity, paraquat is banned in several countries and is a restricted use herbicide in the United States.
Unlike paraquat, Roundup has no restrictions on use and anyone can purchase and use it, including homeowners. EPA considers glyphosates toxicity to humans to be low.
Several people have sued the makers of Roundup because of its link to cancer, specifically non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. The cause is currently unknown, but the disease has been associated with certain genetic mutations and toxins like Paraquat. The most noticeable symptom of Parkinsons disease is tremor.
The disease has no cure, but can be treated with medication. In some cases, surgery may help alleviate certain symptoms.
Parkinsons disease is caused by the breakdown of neurons, otherwise known as nerve cells. The loss of these neurons causes a depletion in the production of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain. The loss of dopamine can cause abnormal brain activity, which in turn may cause impaired movement and other Parkinsons disease symptoms.
How Are Cognitive Changes In Pd Different Than Alzheimers Disease
Overall, dementia produces a greater impact on social and occupational functioning in PD than Alzheimers due to the combination of motor and cognitive impairments.
There is some overlap between symptoms and biological changes seen in Alzheimers and PD. However, it is less likely for both disorders to occur at the same time. Development of dementia in people with PD represents progression of the disease, usually after several years of motor impairment.
Dementia may or may not occur in people with PD. According to recent research, 30% of people with Parkinsons do not develop dementia as part of the disease progression.
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Why File A Paraquat Lawsuit
Were you or a close relative diagnosed with Parkinsons disease due to Paraquat? Are you suspecting the deadly herbicide may have caused your illness?
The only option to ascertain if you qualify is to request a free case evaluation and file for compensation for your punitive damages.
Some epidemiological studies identified the correlation between paraquat use and Parkinsons disease. Also, data reveals a five-fold risk of Parkinsons among those holding occupational positions where workers regularly encounter chemical toxins, including the farming industry.
Unfortunately, many crop workers and farmers were unaware of the severe health risks of using, handling or breathing the restricted-use herbicide. As a result, many individuals seek justice and financial compensation through paraquat claims.
Here are some reasons to file a paraquat Parkinsons lawsuit:
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How Is Paraquat Linked To Parkinsons Disease
Over the last several decades, scientists have dedicated substantial time and resources to study the link between paraquat and Parkinsons disease. One recent study, in 2011, provided results from a collaboration between the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Parkinsons Institute and Clinical Center in Sunnyvale, California. Researchers found that people who used two specific pesticides, one of which was paraquat, were 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinsons disease than those who did not use the pesticides.
In 2012, the National Institute of Health published another study highlighting the link between Parkinsons and paraquat. A later study in 2016, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, took a closer look at the environmental factors that lead to the same type of dysfunction in brain cells that lead to Parkinsons. Researchers found that pathological agents like paraquat can impact the nervous system via the nose or the stomach and cause cellular damage.
Researchers continue to study the specific mechanisms that link paraquat to Parkinsons disease. However, enough evidence exists to have reasonable suspicion that paraquat causes Parkinsons and to continue fighting to ban paraquat in the United States.
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My father passed away from mesothelioma and The Ferraro Law Firm has been there for me and my family for over 10 years. Our attorney, Aleksandra Sikorska, and Nestor in the settlements department will get the job done and are very kind and compassionate.
Parkinsons disease affects nearly 1 million people in the United States. Since its introduction in 1962, scientists have connected exposure to the toxic herbicide Paraquat with Parkinsons disease. Over 32 countries have banned Paraquat, but the U.S. continues to permit its use as a commercial herbicide. If you were exposed to Paraquat and later diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, you are not alone. The Ferraro Law Firm has experience defending innocent people against large agricultural manufacturing companies. We were the first to win a case against chemical manufacturer DuPont for birth defects following pesticide exposure. We have been fighting for the rights of injured people nationwide since 1985. The successful attorneys at The Ferraro Law Firm understand how exposure to pesticides like Paraquat causes Parkinsons disease.
Whats The Connection Between Paraquat And Parkinsons
Paraquat is a toxic herbicide, and people exposed to paraquat can develop multiple health issues, such as pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Paraquat exposure can lower your blood pressure, and ingesting even small amounts can cause severe health problems, including kidney failure and heart failure.
Ingesting large quantities can trigger a coma, cause muscle weakness, produce respiratory issues, or cause seizures. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that ingesting large amounts of paraquat is typically fatal. Studies indicate paraquat exposure can cause Parkinsons. These studies provide legal grounds for lawsuits against paraquat producers when exposure to paraquats linked to Parkinsons disease.
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How You Lose Dopamine Production
Damaged nerve cells can be what results in a decreased ability of the brain to create dopamine. Generally, some kind of degradation of the brain cells will reduce dopamine production.
There is some genetic link to parkinsons disease. For example, specific genetic mutations can impact the dopamine production. Far more common is that exposure to something in the environment can impact the brain.
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How Does Paraquat Use Impact Surrounding Communities And Even The Rest Of The Country
In 2017 alone, an estimated 11 million pounds of paraquat were used in the United States, on nearly 15 million acres. This makes it highly likely that many citizens in agricultural communities are unknowingly exposed to Paraquat over time, either through the air, soil, or water.
Additionally, apples, grapes, wheat, almonds, pears, and strawberries are sprayed with paraquat. Consuming these products, and other produce grown with pesticides, can expose humans to Paraquat by ingestion.
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Environmental Factors In Parkinsons Disease
Here are environmental factors that may play a role in the development of Parkinsons disease:
Although environmental exposure to these and other toxins is of continued research interest, its hard to determine if any one substance is a culprit. Most often, individual cases of Parkinsons disease result from a complex interplay between genetics and environmental and other factors.
Targeting Parkinsons-Linked Protein Could Neutralize 2 of the Diseases Causes
Researchers report they have discovered how two problem proteins known to cause Parkinsons disease are chemically linked, suggesting that someday, both could be neutralized by a single drug designed to target the link.
Paraquat And Parkinsons: Understanding The Connection
In 2011, the National Institutes of Health discovered a link involving two chemicals and Parkinsons disease. One of those chemicals? Paraquat. Over the years, countless farmers and others in the agriculture industry have relied on Paraquat as a weedkiller. However, in 2017, a mandate made it so only licensed applicators can do so because of the dangers associated with the chemical.
According to the report, Paraquat increases specific oxygen derivatives that result in harm to a persons cellular structure when exposed to the chemicals within the herbicide. Some signs show that increased use of Paraquat correlates with a heightened chance of developing Parkinsons disease when exposed.
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Get A Free Review Of Your Case Today
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease after exposure to an herbicide containing paraquat, the attorneys filing paraquat lawsuits can help you explore your legal options. Law firms handling these cases offer a complimentary consultation to all prospective clients and offer representation on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there is no financial risk to seeking help.
Your free case review will help you understand your right to join a mass tort case against the manufacturer. Fill out the contact form to get started.
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Is Paraquat To Blame For The Rise In Parkinsons Disease
03/04/2021
What is Parkinsons disease?
Parkinsons disease is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder impacting approximately one million Americans. The nervous system disease affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain, disturbing movement. There is no single test or scan to detect PD. Although the disease exposes itself in five common stages, and with each stage that develops, the progression of the disease is more evident.
Stage One: The individual has mild symptoms that typically does not interfere with their day-to-day life. Tremor and other movement difficulties are present on one side of the body and may be accompanied with changes in posture, walking and facial expressions.
Stage Two: Symptoms begin to progress as tremor, rigidity and other movement struggles arise on both sides of the body. Walking problems and poor posture may also be present.
Stage Three: Loss of balance, slowness of movements, and a higher fall-risk mark the mid-stage of PD progression. Although the affected person is fully independent, they may have difficulties with everyday activities like changing and eating.
Stage Four: At this stage, the individual is limited by the severity of their symptoms such as inability to walk without assistance and necessary help with daily living.
Financial and Emotional Cost of Parkinsons Disease
How Does Paraquat Cause Parkinsons Disease?
Rise in Parkinsons Disease and Paraquat Use
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Is There A Cure For Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is chronic and incurable. Its symptoms, however, can be treated and managed to improve your quality of life after being diagnosed. For example, speech therapists can help mitigate the diseases impact on your speech. Similarly, physical therapy can help with balance and mobility issues.
Your health care professional can also prescribe medications to help alleviate symptoms. They include medications that:
- Your brain can turn into dopamine
- Treat persistent nausea
- Mimic dopamines effects
- Prevent dopamine loss
Because symptoms can worsen over time and medications can become less effective, your doctor may change or alter prescriptions over time. They might also recommend specialized surgery to provide deep brain stimulation.
Acceptance, coping, and family support will play an important role in how your lifestyle is affected after you develop Parkinsons disease. The goal of your treatment plan is to manage Parkinsons symptoms since the disease has no known cure.
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File A Paraquat Parkinsons Disease Lawsuit
You can file a paraquat Parkinsons disease lawsuit if previously exposed to the weed killer that resulted in Parkinsons. Here are some people who are eligible to file paraquat lawsuits:
- People working around commercial pesticides
- Residents in areas near farmlands where paraquat is in use on crops
- Agricultural workers, such as growers, farmers, landscapers, pickers, and licensed applicators
- Any individual diagnosed with Parkinsons while working or visiting farmland that is sprayed with the herbicide
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How Do We Know That Paraquat Can Increase The Risk Of Developing Parkinsons Disease
Extensive scientific research over the last twenty years has demonstrated a link between Parkinsons disease and people who were exposed to Paraquat. In fact, Paraquat use has long been restricted to certified applicators due to concerns based on this research.
In the last ten years, research on Parkinsons disease has intensified, with two particularly convincing studies involving humans: one by the National Institutes of Health , and one Italian meta-analysis. Both studies provide persuasive evidence for an increased risk of Parkinsons Disease in farmers and in people who live near where Paraquat is used.
Freya Kamel, a scientist within an epidemiology branch of the NIH, has said that research on the link between paraquat and Parkinsons disease is about as persuasive as these things can get.
What Legal Rights Do You Have If You Get Parkinsons
Consult paraquat lawsuit attorneys if you believe exposure to paraquat caused your Parkinsons disease. European nations banned paraquat in 2007, while the U.S. restricted use to licensed technicians in 2012 due to the known health risks from this herbicide. Paraquat lawsuit lawyers are personal injury lawyers familiar with the legal basis for lawsuits against paraquat manufacturers. They represent people with Parkinsons who can establish that they were exposed to paraquat.
The first step you should take to protect your legal rights is to call a paraquat attorney and discuss your case. You can have a free consultation, ensuring you establish you have legal grounds for a potential lawsuit against the makers of paraquat. Paraquat lawyers such as the attorneys with Sibley Dolman Gipe charge no legal fees for their services until you win your case, enabling you to pursue your legal case without assuming the financial risks of pursuing a lawsuit.
Paraquat is a toxic herbicide. The U.S. has restricted the use of paraquat since 2012 due to the health risks from exposure to paraquat. Paraquats linked to Parkinsons disease, and paraquat attorneys take legal action against the makers of paraquat on behalf of people diagnosed with Parkinsons after exposure to paraquat.
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