Breaking News! Vermont Becomes First State to Pass Paraquat Ban
APDA applauds Vermont lawmakers for passing first-in-the-nation legislation to phase out and ultimately ban paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide that has been linked in numerous scientific studies to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The bill is headed to the governor’s desk.
For the Parkinson’s community, this is not abstract science — it is personal reality. Families living with Parkinson’s have long called for stronger attention to environmental risk factors associated with the disease, and Vermont’s action represents an important step toward protecting public health through evidence-based policy.
APDA commends Vermont legislators, advocates, researchers, and coalition partners who worked to advance this legislation and elevate the voices of the Parkinson’s community throughout the process. Their leadership reflects a growing national recognition that science and public health policy must work hand in hand. We are hopeful that Vermont’s efforts will set a strong example for other states to follow suit.
As implementation moves forward, APDA will continue advocating for increased research into environmental contributors to Parkinson’s disease, stronger federal coordination on toxicant exposure and brain health, and policies that prioritize the health and safety of communities across the country.
To learn more about paraquat and PD, and APDA’s advocacy efforts to push for change, and state-level efforts to protect their communities, we encourage you to read this article.
To sign up for APDA Advocacy Action Alerts so you can be notified of opportunities to raise your voice and get involved, please click here.