Story perspectives

Vermont Bans Neurotoxic Paraquat, Citing Parkinson Risk

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban the neurotoxic herbicide paraquat.
Governor Phil Scott signed the ban into law, ending paraquat sales and use on November 1, 2026.
Accidental ingestion of paraquat causes about one to two deaths annually in the United States.
Researchers cite studies indicating paraquat exposure doubles the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Internal Syngenta documents reveal the firm downplayed paraquat’s health hazards, prompting a 2024 U.S. production halt.

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Story summary

Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban the neurotoxic herbicide paraquat.
Governor Phil Scott signed the ban into law, ending paraquat sales and use on November 1, 2026.
Accidental ingestion of paraquat causes about one to two deaths annually in the United States.
Researchers cite studies indicating paraquat exposure doubles the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Internal Syngenta documents reveal the firm downplayed paraquat’s health hazards, prompting a 2024 U.S. production halt.