Representative Greg Casar (D-TX) is leading a group of 50 members of Congress to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to ban paraquat, a herbicide with potential neurologic effects* in both children and adults.

In a letter addressed to Michael S. Regan the EPA Administrator, legislators, supported by a wide range of consumer protection, health promotion and farm worker rights organizations urged the Agency to follow the decision of almost 70 nations to ban the compound.

Parkinson’s syndrome is emerging as an important issue with epidemiologic evidence of association with paraquat. The herbicide is currently banned for application on golf courses and recreational areas.  Opponents of the compound maintain that if it is unsafe for golfers it certainly is undesirable for farm workers who are exposed to relatively higher levels of exposure.

*Paul, K. et al.(2024). Agricultural paraquat dichloride use and Parkinson’s disease in California’s Central Valley. Journal Int. Epidemiol. doi:10.1093/ije/dyae004.