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California Department of Pesticide Regulation Phases Out Paraquat Herbicide
Just the facts
Under the new mandate, all pesticide products containing paraquat will be phased out across California over a two-year period. California is the largest agricultural state in the nation and the largest consumer of paraquat, applying roughly 14 million pounds annually across crops such as almonds, wine grapes, and soybeans. Department Director Karen Morrison stated that pesticide manufacturers, including Syngenta, voluntarily withdrew their product registrations in the state rather than submit required health and environmental safety data. Scientific studies link paraquat exposure to Parkinson's disease, thyroid disease, and organ failure, leading over 70 countries including the United Kingdom, China, and European Union members to ban its use. California becomes the second U.S. state to prohibit paraquat after Vermont, while legal challenges against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's federal reapproval remain ongoing.
Why this is news
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation announced the phaseout of all state registrations for the toxic herbicide paraquat dichloride. The regulatory action follows a 2024 state law requiring the department to re-evaluate the chemical's risks to human health and local ecosystems.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.