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Paraquat and Glyphosate are common chemicals found in weed killers that can be dangerous to humans if inhaled or ingested.
Each chemical has its side effects, ingredients, and individual lawsuits.
We have experience tackling lawsuits of individuals against companies that produce products containing Paraquat and Glyphosate in all 50 states.
To date, Bayer has paid out over $11 billion in cancer settlements for Glyphosate lawsuits.
Syngenta has paid out over $100 million in Paraquat lawsuits for those who have developed Parkinson's disease.
Quick Summary
- Paraquat is 28 times more toxic than Glyphosate.
- Both lawsuits accuse the companies of improper warnings listed on products.
- Both chemicals cause adverse health effects, including Parkinson’s disease and cancers.
- Farmers and other agricultural workers are at the most significant risk of exposure.
- Many farmers still use Paraquat every year in the US.
What Is the Difference Between Paraquat and Glyphosate?
The main difference between Paraquat and Glyphosate is that they are two different herbicides. Glyphosate is the main chemical in the weed killer Roundup.
Paraquat is the brand name for the herbicide paraquat dichloride.
While both Paraquat and Glyphosate are poisonous if inhaled or ingested, Paraquat is more poisonous. Paraquat is 28 times more toxic than Glyphosate [1].
Paraquat has been banned in over 30 countries worldwide due to its toxicity. In the United States, it isn’t yet banned but can only be used commercially.
Roundup has no restrictions and can be used for commercial, home, or agricultural use.
Roundup comprises an active ingredient of acid, trimesium salt, diammonium salt, potassium and sodium salt, mono ammonium salt, and isopropylamine salt.
Paraquat is made from Paraquat dichloride. Paraquat dichloride causes toxic chemical reactions in the lungs, liver, and kidneys as soon as it enters the body.
These chemical reactions lead to the failure of organs and eventual death.
How Do the Paraquat and Glyphosate Lawsuits Differ?
The main difference between these lawsuits is that Paraquat lawsuits have many cases still pending, while Roundup lawsuits have already paid over $10 billion to individual claims for those who were exposed to Roundup and developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [2].
More cases are being organized into class actions.
For the Paraquat lawsuits, over 300 legal actions are pending. These lawsuits are across multiple states.
The lawsuit claims there is a strong correlation between Paraquat use and developing Parkinson’s disease.
These two lawsuits are in different stages of completion.
Both lawsuits target the manufacturers and claim they were negligent by not testing the risks involved with Paraquat or Roundup exposure.
Bayer, the manufacturer of Glyphosate, and Syngenta, the manufacturer of Paraquat, continue to place users of these chemicals at risk by not removing the products from the market or doing a human health risk assessment to put proper warnings on their products.
Side Effects of Paraquat and Glyphosate
Both of these chemicals have exposure symptoms and side effects. There are several side effects of Paraquat poisoning.
These include:
- Tounge ulcers
- Mouth ulcers
- Blood clots
- Cell and tissue death
- Lung cysts
- Lung damage
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Mineral imbalance
- Parkinson’s disease
There are several side effects of Glyphosate.
These include:
- Liver and kidney damage leading to chronic kidney disease
- Eye irritation
- Skin irritation
- Increased saliva production
- Burns of the mouth and throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cancers
- DNA damage
Toxicity Levels of Paraquat
When someone is exposed to an acutely toxic dose of Paraquat exposure, it has a life-threatening effect on the kidney, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and other vital organs.
Pulmonary effects of Paraquat exposure are the most lethal and least treatable side effect of Paraquat.
The fundamental mechanism that Paraquat products use that affects the pulmonary system is the generation of free radicals that cause damage to lung tissue [3].
“It’s terribly toxic, and once it's in your body, there is no treatment”
- Mark Davis, Senior Officer Pesticide Manager, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Glyphosate Toxicity Levels
The highly toxic nature of Roundup is due to the different chemicals added to the formula, such as surfactants.
Aminomethylphosphonic acid is the main ingredient that has been proven to cause neurological damage in humans [4].
Risk assessment has shown that prolonged exposure to high concentrations leads to an increased risk of toxicity.
There is no treatment available; the primary treatment option includes decontamination and support.
Who Is at Risk for Glyphosate and Paraquat Exposure?
Anyone that uses Roundup to control weeds and unwanted vegetation is at risk for skin exposure, inhalation, and more.
Glyphosate is a chemical that can be used for agricultural practices, lawn use, and commercial use.
Due to the restrictions of Paraquat being a commercial herbicide, those at the most significant risk are farmers, forestry workers, crop dusters, chemical mixers, and other occupations within agriculture.
Reasons for the Recall of Glyphosate
There has been no recall of Glyphosate to date. However, research has tied this chemical to several cancers, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia.
In a 2019 study and risk assessment, researchers determined that high exposure to Roundup increased the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41 percent [5].
Bayer and Monsanto vehemently deny that it causes cancer. The Environmental protection agency has also refused to pull the product from the market, despite the health issues it causes.
Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency reviewed Roundup and didn’t identify any health risks to humans from prolonged exposure.
Why Are Paraquat Products Recalled?
The reasons for the recall of Paraquat are due to its adverse health effects, mainly due to the causing of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s research has shown that those exposed to Paraquat develop Parkinson’s disease, which affects movement.
What Is the Burden of Proof for a Glyphosate or Paraquat Claim?
If you have experienced health issues associated with Roundup or Paraquat, you may have a reason for legal action against the company.
Bayer may be liable for your illness or the death of a loved one from failure to warn customers of the product's potential risks.
To hold the company accountable, you must prove two key elements.
- First, you will need to prove a history of exposure to Paraquat or Roundup. Whether it was used in your workplace commercially or has had ten or more dose uses on your lawn.
- Second, you will need medical proof that you have been diagnosed with any of the cancers that Glyphosate causes, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or leukemia, or that Paraquat has caused Parkinson’s disease or other health issues.
Average Settlement of a Glyphosate and Paraquat Lawsuits
The average Glyphosate lawsuit settles for $5,000 to $250,000. As of 2020, Bayer paid out a global settlement with thousands of plaintiffs and paid over $10 billion in compensation [6].
The average settlement for a Paraquat Lawsuit is between $100,000 and $150,000 [7].
FAQs
What Products Contain Paraquat?
Herbicide brands that contain Paraquat include Gramoxone, Parazone, Quick-Quat, Para-Shot 3.0, Firestorm, Crisquat, Cyclone SL 2.0, and Helmquat 3SL.
Do Many Farmers Still Use Paraquat?
Many farmers still use Paraquat. It is estimated that farmers in the United States use more than eight billion pounds of Paraquat annually.
What States Use the Most Paraquat?
The states that use the most Paraquat are North Carolina, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Iowa, Texas, California, Kansas, and Indiana.
Which Foods Are High in Glyphosate?
Foods high in Glyphosate are almonds, apples, apricots, asparagus, cherries, corn, and dates.
Do Paraquat and Glyphosate Bind to Soil?
Both Paraquat and Glyphosate bind to soil organic matter. This means that these chemicals can bind to the soil and affect soil properties.
Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP is an experienced team of lawyers that represent plaintiffs in lawsuits.
We handle individuals' litigations nationwide and investigate lawsuits for Paraquat and Roundup in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has gotten lymphoma after using or becoming exposed to Roundup or has developed Parkinson’s disease after using or becoming exposed to Paraquat, contact us immediately for a free lawsuit evaluation.
You may be eligible to file a lawsuit, and our law firm can help.
References:
- https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/221/1/012137/pdf
- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/business/roundup-settlement-lawsuits.html
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rmpp_6thed_ch12_paraquatdiquat.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378427418319040
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383574218300887
- https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882949098/bayer-to-pay-more-than-10-billion-to-resolve-roundup-cancer-lawsuits
- https://www.lawsuit-information-center.com/paraquat-lawsuit-settlement-amount.html#:~:text=Individual%20Roundup%20plaintiffs%20are%20getting,settlement%20amounts%20than%20the%20average.
