A Spray Danger: Paraquat Dichloride, By Bob Farmer, Dairy Farmer
Paraquat dichloride is one of the most used herbicides in the United States and is used in Australia. The ABC has reported on farmers in Crookwell, on the New South Wales southern tablelands, who have used this chemical all their lives, and now have Parkinson's Disease: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-29/farmers-warning-paraquat-chemical-links-to-parkinsons-disease/104477562?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2tcAREwHndeXnvGmeCGA0DyuxZ8iTYkwi75sC3H2sHiLAkrBeqrYmpaok_aem_qpXqzld0pvAYthCbvn4-jw;
The sample is small but does raise the question of the safety of this herbicide. I spent some time surfing the net to see if there was a literature on the safety of this herbicide, and/or court cases like what may come from the Australian cases. And it was not too hard to find a Landline item, setting out that this is no isolated problem but is common in rural communities where spraying with paraquat occurs: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-31/parkinsons-disease-may-be-linked-to-farm-chemical-paraquat/104188978.
And here is what a leading Australian Parkinson's Disease site says on the matter:
"Position on paraquat
A number of scientific studies have established a clear association between the herbicide paraquat and development of Parkinson's disease9.
Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide which kills most green plant tissue on contact through inhibition of photosynthesis and can also desiccate crops5. Paraquat is also used as an alternative for weeds that are resistant to glyphosate, another common herbicide6.
There is evidence in Australia and around the world, showing a correlation between heightened incidence of Parkinson's disease in environments where paraquat is used7,8.
International research has provided evidence that paraquat dichloride exposure is associated with a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease9. Some studies have shown that the greater the exposure, the greater the risk8,10,11.
There is currently no definitive 'scientific proof' that paraquat causes Parkinson's disease in an individual. As Parkinson's disease is thought to be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, it is difficult to isolate a single cause, such as exposure to a specific herbicide.
Animal models have however provided evidence of the biological mechanisms through which paraquat could cause Parkinson's disease14,15,16.
There is also no clear way of proving a causal rather than correlative link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease in humans in a reasonable timeframe and in an ethical way.
Here are some current key findings from the scientific literature:
- Epidemiological findings:
- Numerous credible studies have shown an increased risk of Parkinson's disease among individuals exposed to paraquat. For example, agricultural workers who handle paraquat or live near treated areas exhibited a higher incidence of Parkinson's disease9,12,13.
- Molecular Mechanisms:
- Animal studies have shown that paraquat is known to be toxic to nerve cells. It can damage mitochondria (the 'powerhouse' of the cell) and can cause oxidative stress, damaging cellular components including DNA, proteins, lipids and can cause cell death14,15,16.
The European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, China and many more countries have banned the use of paraquat to mitigate potential risks.
The use of paraquat is currently permitted in Australia – a decision that is now under review.
Based on the evidence and the actions of the international community, Fight Parkinson's supports a ban of paraquat in Australia."
Yes, I agree, but this disturbs me, as when I was young, I worked spraying this. Will farmer Bob lose his marbles, or has he already lost them? Sorry, it is no joking matter, just whistling in the dark.
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