SYNGENTA TO STOP PRODUCING PARAQUAT AMID ONGOING PARKINSON'S CONCERNS

Agricultural chemical manufacturer Syngenta has announced it will stop producing its paraquat-based weed killer by the end of June, marking a significant development in the debate over the pesticide’s potential health risks. Paraquat has been used in agriculture for decades and has faced increasing scrutiny due to research linking it to Parkinson’s.

Syngenta said the decision was based on business considerations. Paraquat accounts for less than one percent of the company’s global sales, and competition from generic manufacturers has increased in recent years. The company plans to focus its resources on other areas of its business.

Paraquat has been used in the United States since 1964 to control weeds and grasses. It has been commonly applied to crops such as soybeans, cotton, and corn, as well as specialty crops including grapes, pistachios, and peanuts. While it remains legal in the U.S., the chemical has been banned in several countries, including throughout Europe.

Scientific research has suggested that paraquat can damage brain cells in ways associated with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and other functions. These concerns have contributed to thousands of lawsuits filed in U.S. courts by individuals who claim exposure to paraquat contributed to their diagnoses.

Syngenta maintains that the evidence linking paraquat to Parkinson’s is inconclusive and continues to assert that the product is safe when used according to approved instructions. The company did not reference the ongoing litigation when announcing its decision.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has previously said evidence linking paraquat to Parkinson’s is insufficient but is reviewing newer research before making a final regulatory decision. Meanwhile, lawmakers in several states have introduced legislation to ban the chemical.

Although Syngenta is exiting the paraquat market, generic manufacturers may continue producing the pesticide as long as it remains approved in the United States. As a result, debates about its safety and potential health impacts are expected to continue.