Vermont Bans Paraquat From Nov. 1, First US State to Act Over Parkinson's Risk
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Vermont Bans Paraquat From Nov. 1, First US State to Act Over Parkinson's Risk
6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Phil Scott signed a law making Vermont the first US state to ban paraquat, with the herbicide barred from Nov. 1 and limited exemptions available for some fruit crops through Dec. 31, 2030.
Lawmakers backed the move after citing NIH-backed research linking paraquat exposure to sharply higher Parkinson’s risk, while also pointing to studies connecting the chemical to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood leukemia.
The law requires annual reporting on any permitted paraquat use and funds a state study on alternatives, reflecting concerns that Vermont farmers could face a competitive disadvantage if other states still allow the herbicide.
Paraquat has been used in the US since 1964 and remains widely applied on crops including soybeans, corn and cotton, even as it is banned in several countries and faces more than 8,000 US lawsuits over Parkinson’s claims.
Syngenta said in April it would stop making and trying to sell paraquat products in the US and other countries, but generic versions remain available as pressure grows for other states and Washington to impose broader bans.
Vermont has banned a pesticide linked to Parkinson's. Will the rest of the nation now follow?
With paraquat banned, how will Vermont's farmers maintain their crops and compete with other states?
As lawsuits mount, will companies that hid paraquat's health risks for decades finally face justice?
Vermont’s Historic Paraquat Ban: A Turning Point in U.S. Pesticide Policy and Parkinson’s Disease Prevention
Overview
Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide, after strong scientific evidence showed a clear link between paraquat exposure and a much higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. Leading health organizations support this connection, and experts agree that reducing contact with such chemicals is vital for public health. Personal stories, like that of Mike Mooney, whose Parkinson’s diagnosis deeply affected his family and raised concerns about paraquat’s role, helped drive support for the ban. These combined scientific findings and real-life impacts convinced Vermont to act to protect its citizens.