Paraquat: Taking A Closer Look At Oxidative Stress And The Relation To Parkinson’s Disease
Since the Paraquat lawsuits began in 2021, the amount of research and data demonstrating the link between Paraquat use and the number of Parkinson’s disease diagnoses is undeniable. Recently, a man in Washington filed a paraquat lawsuit for his toxic exposure to the herbicide. The plaintiff’s assertion focused on the effects of prolonged exposure by releasing toxins known as oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an increased level of “free radicals” in the body. This is concerning because the brain is especially susceptible to free radical damage since it does not rely on many antioxidant defenses but is dependent on oxygen consumption for proper function. Free radicals can be neutralized by antioxidants, but if left uncontrolled, this oxidative stress can lead to severe health problems. As a result, such brain damage leads to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Based on the continuing research and studies, experts are uncovering the impact of Paraquat-induced oxidative stress over extended periods of time. This is especially dangerous for exposed individuals because the toxic herbicide further inhibits the flow of antioxidants and speeds up DNA cell damage.
Even with the overwhelming amount of data that highlights the seemingly obvious link between Paraquat and its ban in over 60 countries, the sale of Paraquat still remains readily available in the state of California.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to evaluate and reassess both the risks and benefits of Paraquat as its preliminary analysis grossly understands the harms caused by the herbicide.
The public, farmworkers, and agricultural communities deserve the long-overdue protections, and they hope that the January 2025 EPA decision will completely ban Paraquat.
Source: Earth Justice
