Unpredictable Wind Speed And Direction Can Cause Paraquat To Drift Right Back Into A Farmer's Face

An EPA study revealed that most farmers ignore the strict spraying safety recommendations listed on paraquat and fail to use personal protective equipment (PPE)

Monday, June 7, 2021 - The most popular way to apply paraquat to a field is by tractor-drawn ground boom spraying. During this technique, a tractor drives slowly up and down each section of about ten rows pulling the paraquat spraying device behind it. Paraquat kills any plant life it falls on so making sure to keep it off of the good crops is critical. The spraying mechanism is designed to apply the weedkiller as close to the ground as possible to minimize getting the indiscriminate defoliant on the crops it is meant to protect. Unlike using glyphosate and Roundup-ready seeds, the crops have no genetic modification to be resistant to the weedkiller. As anyone who has ever seen a video of paraquat tractor spraying in action, applying the chemical produces a cloud of deadly toxins that is free to travel in any direction the wind is blowing. Wind speed and direction is the most important element the farmer takes into consideration as heavy winds could cause paraquat to destroy their crops or a shift in wind direction, which frequently occurs, could blow the herbicide back in their face. Attorneys handling Paraquat lawsuits are highly experienced and have a winning track record litigating against big corporations and offer a free no-obligation consultation.

It would not be surprising if farmworkers could come home drenched given the unpredictability of the wind and little personal protection equipment (PPE) used while spraying. Lawsuits claim that being exposed to paraquat during spraying operations, regularly and for many years, has caused plaintiffs to develop Parkinson's disease, a deadly and incurable neurological disorder. Studies reveal that inhaling paraquat can destroy the brain cells that produce dopamine, the chemical that coordinates the exchange of information between brain cells. Victims suffer a gradual, progressive lack of coordination, difficulty speaking, tremors, stiffness, and muscle paralysis.

It is with all of this in mind that lawmakers are considering adding to a bill before Congress seeking stricter requirements to applying paraquat such as requiring farmers who tractor spray paraquat to be seated within an enclosed cab and that other safety measures be taken. This recommendation came after a study of pecan farmer's paraquat spraying habits revealed many disregarded the written paraquat safety recommendations. According to the EPA, "Although the study sponsor requested that the workers comply with label requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), they did not interfere with the individual subject's typical practices. As a result, a wide variety of PPE was employed. Of a total of 17 individuals, only eight wore gloves while mixing. The remaining nine wore only normal work clothing. Three wore face/eye protection and wore an apron in addition to protective gloves. Two workers wore Tyvek suits during application." Lawsuits claim, and the above facts seem to support that the paraquat safety warnings are too little and too late for many farmers. The government safety regulations also do nothing for the millions of American children growing up and exposed to inhaling paraquat drift.

Lawyers for Paraquat Lawsuits

Attorneys handling Paraquat Lawsuits for leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma offer free, no-obligation case review for individuals and families who believe they may have grounds to file a paraquat Parkinson's lawsuit. Working on a contingency basis, these attorneys are committed to never charging legal fees unless they win compensation in your paraquat Parkinson's lawsuit. The product liability litigators handling Roundup claims at the Onder Law Firm have a strong track record of success in representing families harmed by dangerous drugs and consumer products.