Momentum Builds to End Paraquat Use and Protect the Parkinson’s Community
On August 10, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation announced that all manufacturers of pesticide products containing paraquat-dichloride had voluntarily canceled their product registrations in California, beginning a phase-out of paraquat use in the state. The message is clear: science, advocacy, and public health policy are moving in the same direction. Momentum is building, and this summer delivered major progress in the fight to reduce exposure to paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide linked to increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and California’s latest action marks a major step forward.
For the Parkinson’s community, these developments are more than policy milestones. They represent a combination of people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and advocates who have called for stronger action on environmental risk factors associated with the disease. APDA is proud to help keep that drumbeat going!
California Accelerates the Shift Away from Paraquat
California’s action follows a reevaluation process that began in 2024 and required manufacturers to submit additional scientific data. Rather than provide the required information, companies began canceling product registrations earlier this year, with the final cancellation occurring August 6.
This is a significant development for the Parkinson’s community and for public health. California is one of the country’s largest agricultural states, and its decision sends a powerful signal that ending paraquat use is both possible and necessary.
Vermont Leads the Way
Earlier this summer, Vermont became the first state in the nation to pass legislation phasing out and ultimately banning paraquat. This was an important step to protect public health and reduce preventable exposure to a pesticide that has been linked in numerous scientific studies to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
While Vermont was the first state to successfully ban paraquat, it was not the only state to pursue a ban. Bills were introduced in 14 states this year, demonstrating growing concern about the use of paraquat. While they were not all successful, the Vermont success demonstrates that do not have to wait to act when the science points to serious health concerns. It also sets an important example for other states that want to protect farmers, farmworkers, rural communities, and families affected by Parkinson’s.
Federal Momentum Grows
State-by-state progress is critical and must continue, because while great effort is being made at the federal level, progress there has been slower and will likely take years to accomplish. In June, U.S. Representatives Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Chellie Pingree of Maine introduced the bipartisan Paraquat Prevention Act. The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cancel existing paraquat registrations, eliminate acceptable thresholds that allow paraquat residue in food, and ban the sale and use of existing stocks upon enactment.
APDA also joined partners from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Parkinson’s Foundation for a meeting with officials at the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention to urge the Agency to ban paraquat. EPA officials shared information about the ongoing data call-in process related to the current paraquat review associated with new information involving pesticide volatility. Shortly after the meeting, the EPA announced it would hold a public stakeholder meeting on paraquat before the end of the summer. While a date and time have not been announced yet, APDA will continue to push for that public engagement opportunity.
What Comes Next
APDA will continue advocating for policies that reduce exposure to toxic chemicals linked to Parkinson’s risk, strengthen federal coordination on environmental contributors to Parkinson’s disease, and prioritize the health and safety of communities across the country. The momentum from California, Vermont, Congress, and EPA engagement shows what is possible when science and advocacy work together. Now, more states and the federal government should follow the lead and act to protect people nationwide.
You can help! To learn more and get involved, go to the APDA Action Center to send your Member of Congress an email urging them to support the Paraquat Prevention Act and sign up for APDA Advocacy Alerts.