California to phase out paraquat, a powerful weedkiller associated with serious health issues

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred California will begin phasing out paraquat, a powerful weedkiller associated with birth defects, thyroid issues and other serious health problems.The California Department of Pesticide Regulation said this week all manufacturers of pesticide products containing the active ingredient have voluntarily agreed to withdraw the product from the market.Paraquat is banned in more than 60 countries due to its toxicity but is still allowed in the U.S., and no state uses more of it than California.“For years, communities have fought to end the use of paraquat, a weedkiller associated with negative impacts to human health and wildlife,” said California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia in a statement.

“California will keep moving toward pest management practices that protect health and our ecosystems.”Millions of pounds of paraquat pesticide are sprayed annually on almonds, grapes, cotton and other crops in the San Joaquin Valley.It is California’s first major pesticide phaseout since 2019, when regulators announced the state was ending virtually all uses of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to neurological issues.

Climate & Environment Assembly Bill 1963 originally sought to sunset the use of the powerful weedkiller.Instead, it orders state regulators to study the safety of the product.The state was forced to reevaluate paraquat following legislation from former Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), which required regulators to decide whether to retain, cancel or suspend its registration, or create new restrictions.

That reevaluation identified a potential association between paraquat exposure and thyroid impacts and birth defects.It also indicated that paraquat may pose a risk to birds and other organisms.

But rather than submit new scientific data in response to the evaluatio...