"The lethal pesticide is banned in Europe, China and many other countries. But not a single state in the U.S. has followed suit, despite research indicating that paraquat exposure increases the risks of Parkinson’s disease."
"RICHMOND, Va.—
Paraquat is used across more than 200,000 acres in Virginia on various crops, including corn, soybean, cotton and tobacco, according to the Agribusiness Council, an industry group that opposed the paraquat ban. The alternative to using paraquat would require the use of multiple other pesticides, argued the Virginia Farm Bureau, which also opposed the ban.
Although 70 countries ban the pesticide, no state in the U.S. has banned paraquat. Some are considering the idea as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is rescinding several regulations. Opponents of the bill said parquat is allowed as a pesticide by the EPA under strict rules.
Paraquat is lethal to humans in a single swallow. The pesticide is rapidly absorbed by the human body, and there is no antidote. Even a small amount causes organ failure."
Charles Paullin reports for Inside Climate News February 21, 2026.
