Paraquat has been linked to Parkinson’s disease and just a sip is fatal, but tens of thousands of pounds of it are being released in the Mississippi Basin.
Even people outside of agriculture carried residue from dozens of chemicals after just one week, the study authors said. Many of these same chemicals, including several banned in Europe, are still in use across US farms.
Environmental advocates warn that fewer formal complaints don’t signal progress — just frustration with a system that fails to hold violators accountable.
A new White House report linking pesticides to children’s health concerns is drawing backlash from farm groups and support from environmental advocates. “It’s a baby step,” said George Kimbrell, co-executive director of the Center for Food Safety.
