Paraquat
The use of commercial herbicides has been commonplace in American agriculture and landscaping for decades. But more recently, doctors and scientists have begun to sound the alarm on the long-term health effects of human exposure to chemical plant killers.
One such commercial herbicide is Paraquat. Initially developed for commercial use in the early 1960s, Paraquat has been identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a substance known to be highly toxic to humans. Harmful exposure to Paraquat can occur by ingesting food or water contaminated with the product, if the substance is inhaled, or if it enters the body through contact with the skin. As little as 20 days of exposure to Paraquat during a person’s lifetime or 10 days of exposure to Paraquat in a one-year period during a person’s lifetime can be sufficient to cause devastating health consequences.
Perhaps the most widely understood adverse human health effect due to Paraquat exposure is the development of Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating brain disorder that leads to a loss of balance and coordination. Ultimately, Parkinson’s sufferers may lose the ability to speak or walk. Paraquat exposure has been linked to the early onset of Parkinson’s disease, in some cases prior to age 60. Paraquat’s link to Parkinson’s disease has even been observed in individuals who have no family history of Parkinson’s and no history of concussions or other head trauma.
If you have been exposed to the toxic commercial herbicide Paraquat, and if you were subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, please contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation. The manufacturers of Paraquat have placed countless lives at risk despite knowing the harmful effects of this dangerous chemical. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation if your catastrophic health condition is linked to Paraquat exposure.