Which States Use the Most Paraquat? | 2025 Latest Updates

Paraquat Lawsuit Overview

Paraquat lawsuits allege that manufacturers failed to warn users about the serious health risks associated with this powerful herbicide, particularly its link to Parkinson’s disease.

Thousands of agricultural workers, farmers, and residents in rural communities have reported neurological damage following exposure to paraquat-containing products.

Despite being banned in over 30 countries worldwide due to safety concerns, paraquat remains widely used throughout the United States with minimal restrictions.

Latest Paraquat Lawsuit 2025 Updates

• APRIL 2025 – The first bellwether trials in the paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL) have been scheduled for late 2025 in the Southern District of Illinois. Over 2,500 cases are now consolidated in the MDL.
• JANUARY 2025 – The court has denied Syngenta’s motion to dismiss based on federal preemption arguments, allowing cases to proceed toward trial. Scientific evidence linking paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease continues to strengthen.
• OCTOBER 2024 – Newly released research from the Michael J. Fox Foundation confirms a statistically significant correlation between paraquat exposure and onset of Parkinson’s disease, particularly among those with 5+ years of occupational exposure.

How Much Paraquat is Used in the United States?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that about 1.3 million pounds of paraquat are applied annually in the United States.

Paraquat herbicide is sprayed on crops to kill weeds, and it is also used as a desiccant to dry out crops before harvest.

Paraquat Use by State

1. California: Paraquat is sprayed on around 9 million acres of cotton, grapes, potatoes, beets, rice, tomatoes, and alfalfa in California every year.
2. Florida: Paraquat is applied to around 1.5 million acres of sugar cane fields every year in Florida to kill invasive plants and weeds.
3. Georgia: Around 1 million acres of peanuts and cotton are treated with paraquat in Georgia annually.
4. South Carolina: Around 700,000 acres of soybeans and cotton are sprayed with paraquat every year in South Carolina.
5. Mississippi: Around 600,000 acres of cotton is sprayed with paraquat in Mississippi annually.
6. Texas: Around 500,000 acres of sorghum, cotton, peanuts, and rice are treated with paraquat each year in Texas.
7. North Carolina: Paraquat is used to kill poison ivy and weeds between rows of crops in North Carolina on about 500,000 acres of farmland each year.
8. New Mexico: About 500,000 acres of sugar beets and peanuts are sprayed with paraquat in New Mexico each year.
9. Oklahoma: About 325,000 acres of cotton are treated with paraquat each year in Oklahoma.
10. Washington: Farmers in the State of Washington commonly use paraquat to stop weeds from growing around their 180 million pounds of apples and other crops.
11. Colorado: About 120,000 acres of sugar beets are treated with paraquat each year in Colorado.
12. Wyoming: Around 100,000 acres of alfalfa and potatoes are sprayed with paraquat every year in Wyoming to destroy weeds that grow between crop rows.
13. Arkansas: Around 45,000 acres of cotton are treated with paraquat each year to kill weeds like Johnson grass and ragweed.
14. Kansas: About 40,000 acres of alfalfa and cotton are sprayed with paraquat every year in Kansas.
15. Illinois: Around 25,000 acres of soybeans are treated with paraquat every year in Illinois.
16. Ohio: Around 20,000 acres of soybeans are sprayed with paraquat each year in Ohio.
17. Michigan: Around 15,000 acres of potatoes are treated with paraquat each year in Michigan.
18. Wisconsin: Around 11,200 acres of potatoes are sprayed with paraquat every year in Wisconsin.
19. Pennsylvania: Around 5,500 acres of soybeans are treated with paraquat each year in Pennsylvania to kill weeds.
20. New York: Around 5,000 acres of potatoes are sprayed with paraquat each year.
21. Indiana: Around 2,400 acres of soybeans are sprayed with paraquat every year.
22. Kentucky: Around 1,700 acres of soybeans are treated with paraquat every year in Kentucky.
23. Pennsylvania: Around 1,500 acres of alfalfa are sprayed with paraquat each year in Pennsylvania.
24. Utah: Around 1,400 acres of alfalfa are treated with paraquat every year in Utah.
25. Minnesota: About 400 acres of potatoes are sprayed with paraquat each year in Minnesota.

Where is Paraquat Banned?

Paraquat is banned or severely restricted in the following countries:

• Norway
• Sweden
• Kuwait
• Finland
• South Korea
• Philippines
• Columbia
• Hungary
• Dominican Republic
• Austria
• Germany
• Denmark
• Slovenia
• Caribbean
• Indonesia
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Belize
• Cambodia
• Belgium

Why is Paraquat Still Used?

One of the main reasons why paraquat has not been banned in the United States is that it destroys weeds and grasses that are resistant to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, which has been linked to an increased risk for cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other serious side effects.

FDA Reports and Statistics

The FDA and EPA have documented over 4,000 adverse event reports related to paraquat exposure in the last decade.

According to the CDC, approximately 15% of all cases involve severe neurological damage, including Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.

In 2022, the EPA released a comprehensive risk assessment confirming paraquat’s neurotoxicity and recommending additional protective measures for workers [1].

Paraquat Injuries & Side Effects

Paraquat exposure has been linked to numerous severe and potentially life-threatening health conditions, particularly neurological disorders.

• Neurological Damage: Parkinson’s disease, tremors, muscle rigidity, and cognitive impairment
• Respiratory Issues: Pulmonary fibrosis, lung scarring, and respiratory failure
• Kidney Damage: Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease
• Liver Damage: Hepatic dysfunction and failure
• Direct Toxicity: Internal bleeding, seizures, and multi-organ failure when ingested

Who is at the Highest Risk for Paraquat Exposure?

People with the highest risk of exposure to paraquat-containing weed killers include:

• Farmers who use paraquat herbicides
• Applicators including “manual” sprayers and those operating tractors that spray paraquat
• People who live on or around farms applying paraquat
• People who drink well water contaminated with paraquat
• Rural schoolchildren who attend schools located near farms spraying paraquat

Do You Qualify for a Paraquat Lawsuit?

You may qualify for a paraquat lawsuit if:

• You were exposed to paraquat between 1964 and the present
• You worked as a farmer, agricultural worker, herbicide applicator, or lived near areas where paraquat was frequently used
• You have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or experiencing Parkinson’s-like symptoms
• Your diagnosis came within 10 years of your exposure
• You can provide documentation of both your exposure and medical condition

Evidence Required for a Paraquat Lawsuit

To strengthen your paraquat lawsuit, you’ll need to provide:

• Medical records confirming your Parkinson’s disease diagnosis or other qualifying condition
• Employment records showing work in agriculture or other industries where paraquat was used
• Documentation of paraquat purchases or application records if available
• Timeline evidence connecting exposure periods to onset of symptoms
• Expert testimony linking your specific condition to paraquat exposure

Damages You Can Recover

Successful paraquat lawsuits may recover compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including specialized neurological care
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress
• Decreased quality of life
• Punitive damages against manufacturers who knowingly concealed risks

Statute of Limitations for Paraquat Lawsuits

The statute of limitations for filing a paraquat lawsuit varies by state but typically ranges from 2-6 years from the date of diagnosis or the date you discovered your illness was linked to paraquat exposure.

Some states follow a “discovery rule,” meaning the time limit begins when you knew or should have known about the connection between paraquat and your condition.

Key state-specific limitations include:

• California: 2 years from diagnosis or discovery
• Illinois: 2 years from diagnosis or discovery
• Florida: 4 years from diagnosis or discovery
• Texas: 2 years from diagnosis or discovery
• New York: 3 years from diagnosis or discovery

FAQs

See all related toxic tort lawsuits our attorneys have covered.

Get Your Free Paraquat Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

Time is limited to pursue legal action for paraquat-related injuries. In most states, you have only 2-3 years from the date of diagnosis to file your claim.

This statute of limitations means delaying action could permanently forfeit your right to compensation.

At Schmidt & Clark, LLP, we offer:

• Free, confidential case evaluations to determine your eligibility
• No upfront costs or legal fees – we only get paid if you win
• Proven experience in agricultural chemical litigation with substantial settlements for our clients
• Personalized representation from attorneys specializing in toxic exposure cases

Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek justice. Contact our experienced legal team today to discuss your potential paraquat claim and begin the process of securing the compensation you deserve.

References

1. https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-finalizes-new-stronger-safety-measures-pesticide-paraquat