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.
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