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Table Of Contents
- How Much Paraquat is Used in the United States?
- Paraquat Use by State
- Who Invented Paraquat?
- Where is Paraquat Banned?
- Why is Paraquat Still Used?
- Who is at the Highest Risk for Paraquat Exposure?
- FAQs
- 1. How long does a paraquat lawsuit typically take to resolve?
- 2. What is the average settlement amount for paraquat lawsuits?
- 3. Can I file a lawsuit if a family member died from paraquat exposure?
- 4. How can I prove I was exposed to paraquat?
- 5. Is there a paraquat class action lawsuit?
- 6. What is the EPA doing about paraquat safety?
- 7. Can I file a lawsuit if I was exposed to paraquat but don’t have Parkinson’s yet?
- 8. Which companies manufacture paraquat?
- 9. Who Invented Paraquat?
- 10. How can residents of high-usage states reduce their risk of Paraquat exposure?
- Get Your Free Paraquat Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
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
- California: Paraquat is sprayed on around 9 million acres of cotton, grapes, potatoes, beets, rice, tomatoes, and alfalfa in California every year.
- Florida: Paraquat is applied to around 1.5 million acres of sugar cane fields every year in Florida to kill invasive plants and weeds.
- Georgia: Around 1 million acres of peanuts and cotton are treated with paraquat in Georgia annually.
- South Carolina: Around 700,000 acres of soybeans and cotton are sprayed with paraquat every year in South Carolina.
- Mississippi: Around 600,000 acres of cotton is sprayed with paraquat in Mississippi annually.
- Texas: Around 500,000 acres of sorghum, cotton, peanuts, and rice are treated with paraquat each year in Texas.
- 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.
- New Mexico: About 500,000 acres of sugar beets and peanuts are sprayed with paraquat in New Mexico each year.
- Oklahoma: About 325,000 acres of cotton are treated with paraquat each year in Oklahoma.
- 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.
- Colorado: About 120,000 acres of sugar beets are treated with paraquat each year in Colorado.
- 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.
- Arkansas: Around 45,000 acres of cotton are treated with paraquat each year to kill weeds like Johnson grass and ragweed.
- Kansas: About 40,000 acres of alfalfa and cotton are sprayed with paraquat every year in Kansas.
- Illinois: Around 25,000 acres of soybeans are treated with paraquat every year in Illinois.
- Ohio: Around 20,000 acres of soybeans are sprayed with paraquat each year in Ohio.
- Michigan: Around 15,000 acres of potatoes are treated with paraquat each year in Michigan.
- Wisconsin: Around 11,200 acres of potatoes are sprayed with paraquat every year in Wisconsin.
- Pennsylvania: Around 5,500 acres of soybeans are treated with paraquat each year in Pennsylvania to kill weeds.
- New York: Around 5,000 acres of potatoes are sprayed with paraquat each year.
- Indiana: Around 2,400 acres of soybeans are sprayed with paraquat every year.
- Kentucky: Around 1,700 acres of soybeans are treated with paraquat every year in Kentucky.
- Pennsylvania: Around 1,500 acres of alfalfa are sprayed with paraquat each year in Pennsylvania.
- Utah: Around 1,400 acres of alfalfa are treated with paraquat every year in Utah.
- Minnesota: About 400 acres of potatoes are sprayed with paraquat each year in Minnesota.
Who Invented Paraquat?
Paraquat was first manufactured in 1961 by Imperial Chemical Industries under the trade name Gramoxone.
Gramoxone is currently manufactured and marketed by Syngenta, but paraquat is also sold under the trade names Blanco, Bonfire Herbicide, and others.
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.
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
FAQs
1. How long does a paraquat lawsuit typically take to resolve?
Most paraquat lawsuits take between 1-3 years to reach resolution, depending on the complexity of your case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Multidistrict litigation proceedings may extend this timeline.
2. What is the average settlement amount for paraquat lawsuits?
While individual settlements vary widely, current paraquat cases are projected to settle between $100,000 and $500,000 for cases with clear evidence of Parkinson’s disease following substantial exposure.
3. Can I file a lawsuit if a family member died from paraquat exposure?
Yes, family members can file wrongful death lawsuits if a loved one died from conditions linked to paraquat exposure, typically within 2-3 years of the date of death.
4. How can I prove I was exposed to paraquat?
Exposure can be proven through employment records, pesticide application logs, witness statements, medical documentation noting exposure, and residency history near areas where paraquat was heavily used.
5. Is there a paraquat class action lawsuit?
Rather than a class action, paraquat cases are being handled through multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3004) in the Southern District of Illinois, allowing for coordinated pretrial proceedings while maintaining individual case assessments.
6. What is the EPA doing about paraquat safety?
In 2021, the EPA implemented new safety measures including restricted use classification, specialized training requirements, and new packaging standards to prevent misuse, but has not banned the chemical outright.
7. Can I file a lawsuit if I was exposed to paraquat but don’t have Parkinson’s yet?
Most jurisdictions require a diagnosable injury for compensation, but some allow for medical monitoring claims if you have documented exposure and increased risk of developing related conditions.
8. Which companies manufacture paraquat?
The primary manufacturers named in lawsuits include Syngenta, Chevron Chemical, and Growmark, along with various distributors of paraquat-containing products like Gramoxone.
9. Who Invented Paraquat?
Paraquat was invented by Imperial Chemical Industries under the trade name Gramoxone. Gramoxone is currently manufactured and marketed by Syngenta, but paraquat is also sold under the trade names Blanco, Bonfire Herbicide, and others.
10. How can residents of high-usage states reduce their risk of Paraquat exposure?
Residents can reduce exposure by using protective gear, advocating for safer alternatives, and staying informed about local pesticide use and regulations.
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 lawsuit and begin the process of securing the compensation you deserve.