Who Can File A Lawsuit
Paraquat is used in agriculture and manufacturing. As such, any agricultural workers, farmers, licensed applicators, or people who live near farming communities may have been exposed to the herbicide and could be at risk of developing early-onset Parkinson’s if they aren’t suffering from the disease already.
Lawsuits have already been filed against paraquat manufacturer Syngenta Group, alleging the herbicide maker ignored and played down the risk of developing Parkinson’s due to paraquat exposure.
Paraquat Heavily Regulated But Not Banned In Us
Paraquat has been registered as an herbicide in the United States since 1964. Because it is highly toxic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies paraquat as restricted use, which means that it is only available for use by commercially licensed users.
But as more and more countries ban paraquat, the EPA has done little. Paraquat use on U.S. agricultural fields has doubled over the last decade.
Every 15 years, EPA reviews all registered herbicides as mandated by federal law. EPA began its review of paraquat in 2017 and has until October 2022 to make any changes to its future use.
In February 2019, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research submitted a petition with more than 100,000 signatories to the EPA, urging the agency to ban paraquat. MJFF notes that paraquat is associated with increased Parkinsons risk across many scientific studies.
Traces Of Roundup Found Throughout Food Chain
Co-authors Stephanie Seneff, research scientist from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Anthony Samsel, retired science consultant from Arthur D. Little, Inc., indicate that they found residues of glyphosate in many of the staple foods common in the western diet, most of which contain sugar, corn soy or wheat products.
Roundup is the most popular herbicide in the world. Farmers in the United States used about 185 million pounds of Roundup in 2007, according to the Environmental Protection Agency . That is nearly twice the amount used six years earlier.
Residential consumers also widely use Roundup to treat weeds in household lawns, gardens and even golf courses.
Monsanto maintains Roundup is minimally toxic to humans. They continue to use the product on millions of acres of crops across the United States. It is used on many genetically engineered crops, such as corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets. Genetically modified crops are specifically engineered to withstand direct applications of massive amounts of weed killer.
Researchers say the long-term side effects of Roundup may also be linked to other chronic diseases and health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, infertility and gastrointestinal disorders.
The studys authors emphasized they hit upon something very important that needs to be taken seriously and further investigated.
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Is There A Link Between Paraquat And Parkinsons Disease
Over the past two decades, the scientific community has stepped up its research of the effects of paraquat exposure on humans.
The chemicals compounds are believed to be toxic to mitochondria, the powerhouses of a cell, leading to the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra a brain area specifically involved in Parkinsons disease.
Here are some study results:
- A 2018 study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that even low-level exposure to paraquat can disrupt cells in a way that mimics the effects of mutations linked to Parkinsons disease
- A 2017 study published in Nature Chemical Biology concluded that paraquat generates reactive oxygen species , which causes cell death
- A 2011 study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded that Parkinsons disease was strongly associated with paraquat
- A 2011 study from the National Institutes of Health concluded that exposure to paraquat could be linked to a greater risk of developing Parkinsons disease
- A 2009 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology revealed that any exposure to paraquat within 1,600 feet of a home resulted in a heightened Parkinsons disease risk of 75%
One of the authors of the FASEB study said that people exposed to these chemicals are at about a 250% higher risk of developing Parkinsons disease than the rest of the population.
Does Weed Killer Cause Parkinsons
There are several weed killers commonly referred to as paraquat that have been strongly linked to Parkinsons disease. Paraquat is so toxic that it requires special training and licensing to use. It is only available for agricultural and other commercial use by workers and cant be purchased by the general public. While at least 32 countries have banned paraquat because of its dangers, including China, the United States has not.
The most popular brand of weed killer used in this country that contains paraquat is Gramoxone®, made by Syngenta. But there are dozens of other weed killer brands that also contain it. They are all potentially hazardous.
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Paraquat Weed Killer And Parkinsons Disease
Are you suffering from Parkinsons disease due to paraquat exposure? Are you, or a loved one, coping with harsh symptoms that could have been avoided? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, suffering, and other related costs. You may qualify to participate in a paraquat lawsuit, so, reach out to Patterson Legal Group for a FREE consultation today.
What You Need To Know About Paraquat And Parkinsons Disease
Dozens of countries around the world have banned the use of paraquat, a weed killer so toxic that ingesting a single sip can be deadly, according to The New York Times.
In the United States, paraquat use isnt just legalits on the rise. The total amount of paraquat usage in the U.S. doubled between 2006 and 2016, the National Water-Quality Assessment Project reported.
That increase in usage translates to an increase in exposure to paraquat and to the harms linked to the toxic chemical. Numerous research studies have shown that, besides posing a risk of potentially deadly paraquat poisoning, the herbicide can increase your risk of developing Parkinsons disease.
The paraquat manufacturers named in lawsuits so far include Syngenta, Growmark, and Chevron U.S.A, Inc.
Is Paraquat in Roundup?
No, paraquat is not the active ingredient found in Roundup. While the herbicide Roundup has also been the subject of lawsuitsmore than 125,000 of themin recent years, the active ingredients and the specific health risks associated with these chemicals are different.
The makers of herbicides containing paraquat are facing lawsuits over the link between the toxic chemical and Parkinsons Disease. Monsanto, the company that first made Roundup, and Bayer, the parent company that now owns Monsanto, are facing lawsuits over evidence of a link between cancer and the active ingredient in Roundup.
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Whistleblower Case Involving Medicare/medicaid Fraud Settles For $245 Million
Physician Partners of America, of Tampa, Fla., has agreed to repay the federal government $24.5 million in a settlement to resolve four whistleblower cases brought under the False Claims Act. Current and former employees of the company came forward to allege that the company billed Medicare and Medicaid for unnecessary medical testing and services, paid
Medical Marijuana As A Treatment For Parkinsons Symptoms
Parkinsons disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and loss of balance. Because marijuana directly affects the central and peripheral nervous systems, scientists have studied the effect of marijuana as a treatment for Parkinsons symptoms.
A 2020 review of 14 different studies acknowledged evidence that medical marijuana provides a reduction in anxiety, tremors, and involuntary or erratic movements. However, the researchers concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend medical marijuana use as part of Parkinson’s treatment.
A 2017 study with patients who used medical marijuana over three months to manage Parkinson’s symptoms found that the treatment improved their symptoms and did not cause major adverse effects.
Other research has shown that medical marijuana may be able to help with some Parkinsons disease symptoms, including:
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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.
Roundup Weed Killer May Cause Parkinsons Cancer Other Problems
Exposure to the commonly used weed killer Roundup may be linked to a risk of serious health problems, including Parkinsons disease, cancer, Alzheimers disease and autism, according to the findings of new research.
In a study published in the journal Entropy on April 18, researchers identified a link between glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, and a toxic reaction among humans that may cause serious health injuries.
The findings suggest that repeated use of the weed killer or ingesting food products treated with Roundup may be harmful to an individuals 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.
How Can A Paraquat Lawyer Help
Patterson Legal Group can help get you paired with a team of litigation attorneys who handle Paraquat cases, and assist you on your journey to get the financial compensation you deserve. Through a paraquat lawsuit for Parkinsons disease, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, future medical costs, and your pain and suffering.
Compensation may also cover current lost wages, or lost wages that may occur in the future due to an inability to return to work. When faced with a life-changing diagnosis, this compensation brings you and your family peace of mind. Thus, a paraquat lawsuit for Parkinsons disease may be the best option for you and your family.
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How Are Pesticides Correlated To Parkinsons Disease
Agricultural workers who have been exposed to paraquat have a higher incidence of Parkinsons than other people. Numerous studies have been performed that connect paraquat to Parkinsons. Studies on mice have shown that the toxic pesticide kills off dopamine-producing neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain and nervous system. In humans, when these neurons die, Parkinsons develops.
Paraquat Linked To Parkinsons
A 2013 study from UCLA confirmed that exposure to the herbicide Paraquat is linked with a heightened risk of Parkinsons disease. This combines with other research finding that herbicides and pesticides increase the risk of Parkinsons.
The researchers, from UCLAs Fielding School of Public Health, studied 357 Parkinsons disease cases along with 754 control subjects adults from Central California. The researchers determined increased exposure to the herbicide Paraquat through geographic mapping of their home addresses, together with agricultural use of the chemical on nearby farms. The research found that those living closer to farms that sprayed the herbicide were found to have a 36% increased risk of Parkinsons.
However, those who experienced a head injury combined with increased Paraquat exposure tripled their chances of having Parkinsons disease.
Researchers from Mexicos Unidad de Medicina Familiar also studied cases of Parkinsons together with exposure to the herbicide Paraquat among Mexican workers. They also found a positive association between exposure to this chemical and Parkinsons disease.
Paraquat is N,N-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridinium dichloride.
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How Does Medical Marijuana Affect The Body
Marijuana affects the body through neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers of the nervous system.
Various factors can stimulate neurotransmitter activity, initiating a set of physiological responses. In cannabis, it is mainly THC or CBD binding to endocannabinoid receptors that produce new physiological reactions in the body.
The endocannabinoid system is one of the most important neurotransmitter systems in the body. It utilizes cannabinoid receptors located throughout the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system . Cannabis works to turn on endocannabinoid neurotransmitters through activity at these receptors.
Does Roundup Cause Parkinsons Disease
NoRoundup is not thought to cause Parkinsons disease. Roundup doesnt contain paraquat, which is the weed killer chemical most often linked to Parkinsons.
Whether you have been exposed to paraquat and are suffering possible Parkinsons disease, have cancer due to a weed killer or have sustained poisoning or other injuries from weed killer exposure, our attorneys may be able to help you get compensation. Compensation can help you pay for doctor bills and other damages due to toxic weed killer products.
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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Law Close To Passing Would Finally Bring Justice To Veterans And Their Families
A bill that is close to becoming law could finally provide justice and financial relief to veterans and their families for health problems caused by water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The bi-partisan Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 has passed both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. It was sent
Why Choose Ask Llp
Our professional staff is comprised of 15 attorneys and more than twenty support staff in two national offices: New York and Saint Paul. ASK attorneys are experienced litigators and negotiators who average 15 years of legal experience.
Taking legal action does two things: A lawsuit enables individuals to hold large manufacturers accountable for their actions, possibly reducing the risk of others experiencing the same complications. It also helps families and individuals who suffer obtain fair financial compensation to cover the costs associated with the injury.
The right mass tort lawsuit will help fight for your rights and make sure your voice is heard when it comes to showcasing the ill effects of Paraquat. If you hire us, then we will fight tirelessly to get you the best possible result.
Have you been exposed to Paraquat?
Call ASK LLP today at: RING ASK / for a free case evaluation or fill out the form below.
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Weed Killer Linked To Parkinsons Disease What You Need To Know
In the U.S., many agricultural workers who were exposed to the harmful chemical paraquat are now diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Now, lawyers nationwide are telling them that they may seek financial compensation. In multiple states, lawsuits are already filed and many attorneys are offering free consultations to review individual cases.
Paraquat lawyer Matt Dolman of Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident & Injury Lawyers in Florida says that the claim states that the makers of paraquat knowingly produced and distributed a known toxin. Currently, paraquat is banned in more than 30 countries. These injured consumers and their loved ones are seeking financial compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced due to their exposure to paraquat. A paraquat settlement may help cover the medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering that a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease brings.
What You Need to Know
Dozens of countries worldwide have now banned paraquat. This weed killer is so toxic that even ingesting a single sip of it can kill a person, according to many sources. In the United States, however, paraquat isnt just legal, people are using it more than ever.
Between 2006 and 2016, the total amount of paraquat use in the United States doubled. That translates to an increase of exposure to paraquat and the harm linked to the highly toxic chemical.
Not just deadly, this herbicide can increase your risk of Parkinsons disease.
What is Paraquat?
The Bottom Line
What Is Paraquat Used For
Commercial farmers and other agricultural workers in the United States have been using paraquat to control invasive weeds and grasses since 1964. Applicators spray it on commercial crops such as corn, soy and cotton.
Because of its toxicity, the EPA limits the herbicides use to licensed applicators for commercial use. There are no paraquat products licensed for use by homeowners.
Paraquat should never be used around:
- Home gardens
- Playgrounds
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How You Can Protect Yourself And What You Should Do If You Are Exposed To Paraquat
- Because ingestion is likely to be the primary route of exposure, if poisoning is suspected, avoid any further ingestion and seek medical attention immediately.
- Pre-hospital therapy may include oral administration of activated charcoal or Fullers earth in order to bind ingested paraquat.
- If you think you may have been exposed to liquid paraquat on your clothes or body, remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.
- Removing your clothing:
- Quickly take off clothing that has liquid paraquat on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head.
- If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.