Parkinson ‘s Disease Farmers And Herbicideuse: New Research Strengthens The Link
In rural Fairfield, Montana Parkinson’s disease occurrencesare much higher than the national aver age of 1 in 1000 peopleover the age o! 60, and 1 in 10,000 people under the age of 60.At least 12 people living around the Fairfield area, with apopulation of 650, have contracted the disease. Dick Chalfon isone of them. A lifelong farmer, Chalfon began feeling weakseveral years ego. Two years ego, after he was diagnosed ashaving Parkinson’s disease, he quit farming. “My legs wouldget tired walking. … It’s gotten steadily worse,” saysChalfon.
Parkinson’s disease, a nervous system disorder, decreasesmuscle control and can eventually cripple the patient. Accordingto Dr. William Koller, a Parkinson’s expert at the University ofKansas Medical Center, people who handle herbicides, drink wellwater, or are around industrial pollutants, appear more likely tocontract the disease. A new study conducted by researchers fromthe University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewantests the hypothesis that the occupational use of herbicides isassociated with an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease.2
The association between pesticide use and risk of Parkinson’sdisease has been studied for almost ten years, since researchersnoted that users of a drug that is chemically similar to theherbicide paraquat developed Parkinson’s disease.
Ecke, Richard. 1992 Parkinson’s hits rural Montana Great FallsTribune.
Work Use Of Pesticides Linked With Parkinson’s
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WASHINGTON, Sept 14 – U.S. researchers said on Monday they had made more links between the use of pesticides and Parkinson’s disease but said they only found a higher risk for people who use the chemicals as part of their job.
Three compounds, including an ingredient in the Vietnam-era herbicide Agent Orange, the herbicide paraquat and the insecticide permethrin were associated with a more than three-fold increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, they found.
Their study, published in the Archives of Neurology, backs a growing body of research linking the incurable and often deadly brain disease with pesticide and herbicide use.
“Because few investigations have identified specific pesticides, we studied eight pesticides with high neurotoxic plausibility based on laboratory findings,” Dr. Caroline Tanner of the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale, California and colleagues wrote.
They studied 519 people with Parkinson’s disease and 511 similar people who did not have Parkinson’s.
“We examined risk of parkinsonism in occupations and toxicant exposures putatively associated with parkinsonism,” they wrote.
“Work in agriculture, education, health care, or welding was not associated with increased risk of parkinsonism,” they added.
“Occupational use of pesticides was associated with an almost 80 percent greater risk of parkinsonism. Growing evidence suggests a causal association between pesticide use and parkinsonism.”
Paraquat Weed Killer Found To Be Linked To Parkinsons Disease
The Environmental Protection Agency has found evidence linking exposure to paraquat dichloride, an herbicide colloquially known as paraquat, to the development of Parkinsons disease later in life, per a 2016 regulatory filing. Now, agricultural workers who have been exposed to this toxic chemical may have the right to file lawsuits against paraquat manufacturers for financial compensation.
As reported by the National Law Review, many countries have effectively banned paraquat due to its high level of toxicity. While this toxicity was previously only known in relation to its use in suicides — one sip has proven lethal time and again, per reports from The New York Times — several journals have recently published peer-reviewed studies showing a link between paraquat and Parkinsons disease. The American Journal of Epidemiology, the Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences are among the reputable sources that have published such findings.
Despite this research, paraquat remains legal to use in the United States — even as the same research has compelled dozens of countries around the world to ban this herbicide. Whats worse, the National Water-Quality Assessment Project reported that its use in the U.S. only doubled between 2006 and 2016.
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Are There Better Alternatives To Paraquat
The short answer is yes. There are better, greener, alternatives to paraquat and while not all of them might be as effective or as cheap, they are a lot safer for humans and the planet.
For example, in the banana industry companies used to make use of paraquat as their main herbicide, but with developing research linking paraquat to different diseases including Parkinsons, some banana growers started using non-chemical, greener methods such as mowing, covering the ground with banana leaves, and mulching.
It seems that these methods work for them which makes us wonder why other companies and farming communities cant invest and look into safer alternatives given that this is such a highly toxic chemical not fit for human use, commercial or otherwise.
The Tragic Link Between Paraquat And Parkinson’s Disease And Torhoerman Law’s Quest For Justice
EDWARDSVILLE, IL / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 2020 / Paraquat is putting farmers and farming communities across the nation in danger. The herbicide has been directly linked to Parkinson’s disease and has already been banned in many countries, including China, Brazil, and the EU. This begs the question of why farmers in all 50 states are still able to utilize the dangerous chemical. TorHoerman Law is on a mission to bring awareness to this dangerous chemical, the risks involved, and the legal options available to those who suffer from Parkinson’s linked to Paraquat exposure.
Paraquat is a chemical agent used primarily as an herbicide in no-till farming. It’s most commonly used as a spray, being a less labor-intensive alternative to discing/standard tilling farming. As more weeds become resistant to RoundUp, Paraquats popularity in farming continues to grow across the US. In 2017, the last year in which data is available, use was estimated to be almost 10 million pounds annually in the United States.
The dangers of ingesting the chemical are fairly well-known, as a dose of just 2.5 grams is lethal. For this reason, it has been the cause of death in multiple suicides and accidental deaths. The immediate effects of Paraquat are deadly, but the lasting effects of Paraquat exposure may pose an even more sinister threat to farmers, pesticide applicators, tank fillers/mixers, and the families living in and around farming communities.
Contact Name: Chad A Finley
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Paraquat Exposure Alert: Paraquat Linked To Parkinsons Diseaseagricultural Workers Could Be Entitled To Compensation
Agricultural workers who were exposed to the herbicide paraquat and have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease may have a claim for financial compensation.
With lawsuits against paraquat manufacturers already filed in multiple states, attorneys are now investigating paraquat lawsuit cases at no charge.
A paraquat toxic exposure lawsuit may be your only chance to receive the compensation you need to cover the costs of treating Parkinsons disease.
Data Synthesis And Statistical Analysis
Meta-analysis of results will be considered by investigating heterogeneity among animal and human studies, separately. It is common, though, that environmental health studies have some differences regarding outcome assessments and exposure definitions that could be an obstacle to formal statistical meta-analysis . The heterogeneity associated with pooled effect estimates will be assessed with the use of a 2 test and the I2 statistic . Heterogeneity will be classified as follows: 0 to 40% 30 to 60% 50 to 90% and 75 to 100% .
Statistical analysis will be conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis STATA software . If considerable heterogeneity is detected among studies, meta-analysis will not be indicated and results will only be presented in tables or in a narrative synthesis. However, if heterogeneity does not exceed 75%, we will use random effects meta-analysis , which is a more conservative approach of pooling the results. In this case, the measure of association will be presented as odds ratios and mean difference, both with a 95% confidence interval , for studies with dichotomous and continuous data, respectively .
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What Should I Know If Im Considering A Paraquat Lawsuit
If youre thinking of joining a paraquat lawsuit, heres what you need to know:
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You may be able to seek compensation for all of your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and declines in your quality of life.
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There are deadlines to file toxic exposure lawsuits and in-depth investigations that must be performed, so the sooner you get started, the better.
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You will need the help of an experienced paraquat lawsuit lawyer to prove that exposure to the herbicide is what caused you to develop Parkinsons disease.
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It costs you nothing out of pocket to get started with a claim. The consultation is free, and legal representation is offered on a no-win, no-fee basis.
For licensed applicators and other agricultural workers who developed Parkinsons disease after being exposed to paraquat, getting financial compensation will help you afford the best care. That, in turn, will help you have the best quality of life.
Contact The Lyon Firm Today
Parkinsons disease is a brain disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, and difficulties with balance and coordination. Approximately one million people in the U.S. have Parkinsons disease , with 50-60,000 new annual diagnoses. Symptoms generally worsen over time, and as the disease progresses, people may have mental and behavioral changes, trouble sleeping, depression, memory difficulties, and chronic fatigue.
Parkinsons disease can be triggered when nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls movement are damaged or die. These nerve cells usually produce a brain chemical called dopamine. When the cells are damaged, they produce less dopamine and thus the movement of the person is affected. Scientists still theorize what causes these cells to die.
People with Parkinsons also lose important nerve endings that control many automatic functions of the body, like heart rate and blood pressure. The loss of these nerve endings may help explain some distinct features of Parkinsons, such as fatigue, irregular blood pressure, and the disruption of the digestive tract.
Other medicine used to treat Parkinsons symptoms include dopamine agonists that mimic the role of dopamine in the brain, MAO-B inhibitors that slow down an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain and Anticholinergic drugs that help reduce tremors and muscle rigidity.
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Translating Certainty Ratings Into Levels Of Evidence For Parkinsonian
Five descriptors will be used to rate the level of evidence: high,moderate,low,inadequate evidence, and evidence of no health effect. The first three descriptors used in the previous step to indicate the certainty of the evidence will be directly converted into levels of evidence. However, if the level of certainty is very low or no evidence is identified, the level of evidence will be considered inadequate .
The descriptor evidence of no health effect that indicates that paraquat is not related to PD in humans or in rodent models will be considered only when the level of certainty is high .
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Is Paraquat Banned In The United States
While many countries in the world have banned paraquat, in the United States, the weed killer is still in use on many farmlands sprayed with the deadly weed and grass killer.
There are no federal or state laws that ban consumers from buying or using paraquat. However, no one can sell the chemical to anyone under 18. In addition, the US Department of Transportation restricts the herbicide to transport on public roadways because of its toxicity.
In the United States, multiple states have issued a ban on paraquat for any agricultural purpose. Using paraquat as an active ingredient against plants and vegetation is illegal.
Two of the states that have banned paraquat:
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
Although paraquat has been banned in some states, it is still legal in other states. In the states where paraquat is still legal to use and purchase, federal agencies have restricted its transportation on public roadways due to toxicity concerns.
The paraquat lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represent victims harmed by the toxic chemical, including those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
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What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in which nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra dont produce enough of the neurotransmitter dopamine, according to the Parkinsons Foundation. Not having enough dopamine is what causes the movement symptoms that distinguish Parkinsons disease, including tremors, limb rigidity, and gait problems.
Although it is a movement disorder, Parkinsons disease can bring about non-movement symptoms that include cognitive impairment, depression, sleep disorders, and constipation, according to the Parkinsons Foundation.
Parkinsons disease is a progressive disorder. This means the disease gets worse over time. Although Parkinsons disease is incurable, its symptoms are treatable. Data from some clinical research trials suggest that there is hope to slow Parkinsons disease progression through early intervention, although theres not enough data to conclusively demonstrate that this is possible, according to The American Journal of Managed Care.
Parkinsons Disease & Agriculture
Most cases of the disease occur randomly and do not seem to run in family bloodlines. But researchers believe that Parkinsons disease results from a combination of both genetic mutations and environmental factors. Occupational pesticide exposure, farming work, well water consumption, and residential pesticide use have all been linked to elevated rates of Parkinsons disease .
Studies have found an association between two common agrochemicals and Parkinsons disease. One study concluded that low-level exposure to pesticides and specific agrochemicals may disrupt cells in a way that mimics the effects of mutations known to cause Parkinsons disease.
Even low-level exposure for those with a genetic predisposition for Parkinsons disease drastically increases the risk of developing the disease. Epidemiological research demonstrates an increased risk among farmers and others exposed to agricultural chemicals. People exposed to these some herbicides are at about a 250-percent higher risk of developing Parkinsons disease than the general population, according to the study.
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Dangers Of Roundups Ingredients
Roundup has been shown to contain glyphosate, a compound that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has called a probable human carcinogen and one that Chiba University in Japan has studied in the context of Parkinsons. According to their research, glyphosate exposure may be a risk factor in development of Parkinsons disease, as it worsens the ability of neurons in the brain to transport dopamine to different areas, leading to a neurodegenerative state.
Why File A Paraquat Lawsuit
Were you or a close relative diagnosed with Parkinson’s 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 Parkinson’s disease. Also, data reveals a five-fold risk of Parkinson’s 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 Parkinson’s lawsuit:
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Rotenone Linked To Parkinsons
A study from Koreas Yonsei University studied the broad spectrum pesticide Rotenone and how it damages nerve cells and pathways.
The researchers found that Rotenone induces cell death in a process called with G2/M cell cycle arrest. G2/M cell cycle arrest blocks the process of mitosis that enables cells and their DNA to replicate and more importantly among nerve cells repair any DNA damage.
Thus the insecticide basically blocks the ability of the nerve cell to repair itself lending to the cells eventually dying off or mutating.
Exposure To Pesticides In The Military
Agent Orange was an herbicide that US troops sprayed in Vietnam from 1961-1971 to kill trees and crops that provided protection and food to the rival army. It is a mixture of two chemicals: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Agent Orange was also contaminated with Dioxin, a chemical even more damaging than Agent Orange itself, since it is very long-lasting.
The effects of Agent Orange on both the Vietnamese population and on American soldiers has been studied extensively, but with much variability in the results. Birth defects have been attributed to Agent Orange exposure, as well as multiple types of cancer.
With the understanding that the Veteran community served selflessly on behalf of the American people and therefore deserve the protection and support of the American government, the Agent Orange Act was passed in 1991, allowing the Department of Veteran Affairs to declare certain conditions presumptive to exposure to Agent Orange, even if the scientific data associating Agent Orange with that condition was not airtight.
The list of conditions has grown over the years, and in 2010, PD was added. Read here about how veterans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and have subsequently developed PD are eligible for VA healthcare and disability compensation. APDA offers a free booklet specifically for veterans to help them find the care and support they need.
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The Ghosts Of Pesticides Past
Over the past half century, we have begun to identify the worst risks and address them. The insecticide DDT was once considered a miracle compound. In the 1930s, the Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Müller was looking for a chemical that could kill insects that were destroying crops and spreading diseasewithout harming the plants. Müller, a nature lover, tested hundreds of chemicals before coating the inside of a glass box with DDT, a colorless, tasteless, and almost odorless nerve toxin. He placed houseflies into the container, and they bit the dust. Müller had found his answer.
In the 1940s DDT was considered harmless to humans and regularly sprayed on neighborhoods here children play in the sprays at the beach in New York. Even though DDT was banned half a century ago, it persists in the environmentand in our food supply. It becomes more concentrated as it makes its way up the chain to human consumption. The pesticide is then stored in fatty tissues, including the brain. DDT has been linked to Parkinsons disease. Because of the widespread use of the pesticide, DDT and its breakdown products are detectable in nearly everyone in the United States. It has also been found in the breast milk of women living in Spain, Nicaragua, Taiwan, and the Spanish Canary Islands as recently as 2014.
Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
We eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains every day that have been doused in pesticides. What kind of risk are we all exposed to? We do not know.