Health and farmworker advocates urge herbicide ban
WASHINGTON — During a briefing for congressional staff on Tuesday, public health advocates and farm workers called on the federal government to ban the use of toxic herbicides they believe cause Parkinson’s disease.
The EPA will decide next year whether the license for the herbicide paraquat dichloride should be extended for another 15 years. This herbicide is used to control weeds in agricultural settings. It is currently banned in more than 70 countries and has been linked to several serious health conditions, such as cancer and Increases the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Nora Jackson, a former farmworker in Indiana, said her cousin developed Parkinson’s disease at age 55 after spraying paraquat on his farm. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease usually appear around age 60.
“Farmworkers often have to perform extremely dangerous jobs…but that doesn’t have to be the case,” Jackson said. “It is possible to create an agricultural system that is not so heavily reliant on paraquat, and where paraquat does not have to be a pesticide that puts many lives at risk.”
Jackson added that the disease has severely affected his life.
“He is now heavily reliant on medication and uses a cane every day to walk,” she said.
The briefing on the health risks of paraquat was hosted by the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Disease Research Foundation, the Farm Women’s Alliance Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, and the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization engaged in public health research and advocacy.
The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Disease Research Foundation was established by the actor from blockbusters “Back to the Future,” “Doctor Hollywood” and “Teen Wolf.” Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease at age 29.
prohibit necessary
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deadline is January 17th Make decisions regarding the future supply of paraquat.
Supporters of Tuesday’s event called on the agency to refuse to renew the paraquat license, saying other regulations to reduce exposure to the herbicide have not yet been put in place.
“Remember, people have been using this chemical as directed and are still getting Parkinson’s disease,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group. “So putting more restrictions on how it can be used, when it can be used, what equipment it can be used on, etc. is not the answer.”
Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system, causing unexpected tremors, difficulty with balance, and stiffness. There is no cure.
California Legislature Action is underway to ban the herbicide.
David Jilbert of Valley City, Ohio, a former farmworker with an engineering background, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021.
“As a long-time environmental engineer, I understand the importance of personal protective equipment and I make a point of following all safety protocols,” he said.
disappointed with government
In 2019, he sold his vineyard because he wasn’t feeling well and his hands began to move slowly.
“My diagnosis changed everything and affected every aspect of my life, from my physical abilities to my emotional health and financial stability,” he said. “Parkinson’s disease has no cure. It is degenerative and gets worse, not better.
Charlene Tenbrink, of Winters, California, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020.
Tenbrink said she was frustrated with the federal government because she was unaware of the health risks paraquat could pose.
“We’ve been working hard to change that for a long time,” she said.
