Additional Paraquat Training Requirements

The EPA is now requiring those who use paraquat to take an additional EPA approved training.  

Paraquat dichloride, commonly referred to as “paraquat,” is an herbicide registered in the United States since 1964 to control weeds in many agricultural and non-agricultural use sites. It is also applied as a pre-harvest desiccant on some crops including cotton. It is also used as a burn-down herbicide around nurseries borders, edges, and roadways.

All paraquat products registered for use in the United States are Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs), which can only be sold to and used by certified applicators (and applicators under their direct supervision). There are no homeowner uses and no products registered for application in residential areas.

EPA identified 27 paraquat fatality reports through 2014 in its Incident Data System (IDS). The IDS database contains all registrant submissions of adverse health effects from pesticide products, as required by federal law. More than 80% of all identified paraquat fatality cases reported to IDS were due to ingestion of the product.

At least eight of these 27 deaths were due to the accidental ingestion of paraquat. All eight of these accidental deaths involved transfer of paraquat into a beverage container. 

Here are some real stories of fatalities from the misuse of paraquat from the EPA.

• In 2003, a 49-year-old male took a sip from his coffee cup in which he had poured paraquat because the product’s bottle was deteriorating. He realized his mistake and went to the Emergency Department. At that time, he was vomiting, cold and sweating profusely. Doses of activated charcoal were administered and his stomach was pumped; morphine was provided for esophageal pain; and he was intubated to support breathing function on the fourth day. Aggressive supportive care continued until he died on the tenth day.
• In 2010, a 44-year-old male mistakenly drank paraquat, which he thought was fruit juice. He developed difficulty breathing and vomited blood. He was admitted to the hospital intensive care unit where he died after 20 days of aggressive treatment.
• In 2008, an 8-year-old boy drank paraquat that had been put in a Dr. Pepper bottle, which he found on a window sill in the garage. He died in the hospital 16 days later. His older brother had used the product on weeds around the house and put it in the bottle in the garage. The older brother obtained the product from a family friend who is a certified Restricted Use Pesticide applicator.

Due to the risk of accidental ingestion the EPA is requiring certain changes be made.

• Changes to the pesticide label and distribution of supplemental warning materials to highlight the toxicity and risks associated with paraquat products.
• Restricting the use of paraquat to certified pesticide applicators only. Individuals working under the supervision of a certified applicator are prohibited from using paraquat.
• Specialized training for certified applicators who use paraquat to emphasize that the chemical should not be transferred to or stored in improper containers.
• New closed-system packaging designed to prevent transfer or removal of the pesticide except directly into proper application equipment. This will prevent spills, mixing, pouring the pesticide into other containers or other actions that could lead to paraquat exposure.

To prevent the severe injury and/or death from paraquat ingestion, a paraquat product must:

• Be used only by a certified applicator or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Per new EPA-approved labels (which should begin appearing on products in 2019), paraquat may be used only by a certified applicator.
• Never be transferred to a food, drink or any other container.
• Always be kept secured to prevent access by children and/or other unauthorized persons.
• Never be stored in or around residential dwellings.
• Never be used around home gardens, schools, recreational parks, golf courses or playgrounds.

The new training for paraquat use can be found here.  EPA Training

A handy number to have at all times is the poison control center 800-222-1222.