You would think that after years of controversy surrounding the toxic herbicide paraquat, years of constant scrutiny from experts, environmental organizations, and advocacy groups, or after thousands have already filed a paraquat exposure lawsuit, the United States will consider a permanent ban of its use on American agricultural lands. Unfortunately, that is not the case. […]
Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between the formation of oxidants and antioxidants in the body, in favor of oxidants. Excess production of oxidants overwhelms antioxidant defenses, which can lead to damage on a cellular level and eventual cell death. Oxidative stress is also linked to a handful of health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and […]
Paraquat is an herbicide that has been widely used for its effects on unwanted weeds and vegetation. It continues to be a popular choice among farmers for its rapid action in killing green plant tissue. However, the exact mechanism in which it kills plants has also been seen to be the cause for its high […]
The association between the herbicide paraquat and various long-term health problems, including, among others, severe dermatitis, respiratory failure, and Parkinson’s disease, has been a long-standing concern for advocacy groups and environmental organizations worldwide. In fact, the link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease is the main reason why thousands of plaintiff lawsuits have already been filed […]
The production of free radicals is the main mechanism of paraquat poisoning. When produced in excess, these free radicals can cause oxidative stress, a process that can alter cell membranes and result in cell damage down to the DNA level. This damage ultimately contributes to a handful of life-long conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, such as […]
Diquat and paraquat are two widely used herbicides whose popularity can be attributed to the speed and efficacy with which they act. However, these two chemicals are not only popular because of their effectiveness. The truth? Diquat and paraquat also gained notoriety for the exact opposite reason – the illnesses attributed to their use. In […]
Paraquat works by rapidly killing green plant tissue on contact, inducing membrane damage and cell death in the process. And while its mode of action may offer some background on what is paraquat, a few mechanisms of its toxicity is still poorly understood today. And although the herbicide is formulated to be toxic to plants […]
With its acute toxicity and link to Parkinson’s disease, it comes with no surprise that Paraquat use has been banned in several countries across the globe. Aside from studies linking the highly toxic herbicide to Parkinson’s, evidence also continue to mount on many other alarming health effects it can cause. From birth defects to learning […]
Paraquat poisoning is a leading public health problem in several developing countries such as those in Asia, Pacific nations, and the Americas. Due to its accessibility and affordability, many people from said countries use paraquat to commit suicide. Because ingestion is the route of exposure that is most likely to result in poisoning, the most […]
The target organ for paraquat toxicity is the lung. In fact, there is a term for the disease that results from paraquat poisoning and directly damages the lungs – paraquat lung. The toxicity of paraquat is undisputed, with both human and animal studies showing evidence of how damaging the chemical is to cells. The controversy […]