Vermont Becomes First U.S. State to Ban Paraquat, a Neurotoxic Herbicide

On 26 May 2026 Governor Phil Scott signed H. 739, making Vermont the first U.S. state to prohibit the sale and use of paraquat, a non-selective herbicide introduced in 1964. The ban takes effect 1 Nov 2026, with special permits allowed for fruit-orchard and small-fruit crops through 31 Dec 2030. The law mandates annual use reporting and funds a study of safer alternatives. Paraquat remains legal in most states, is classified by the EPA as a restricted-use pesticide, and is banned in more than 70 countries due to health concerns.

The Guardian

More than 8,000 U.S. lawsuits allege paraquat-related Parkinson’s, and WHO data show the disease has doubled globally in the past 25 years. A UCLA analysis found residents within 500 m of applications have twice the odds of developing Parkinson’s. Only 15 % of patients have a family history, underscoring environmental risk. Accidental ingestion kills 1–2 people annually. By curbing use, Vermont aims to protect farmworkers and nearby residents, creating a model for other states and possibly prompting federal regulation.

Common Dreams

Governor Scott said the ban protects Vermonters’ health. The EPA, while maintaining paraquat’s restricted-use status, noted its review found no clear causal link to Parkinson’s. Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Dan Feehan called the scientific evidence “strong and building for decades,” urging a national ban. Neurologist Ray Dorsey called the move a step toward preventing a largely man-made disease. Some legislators warned the restriction could hurt farm competitiveness and urged more research; Syngenta continues to assert no credible health link.

Common Dreams

NIH, UCLA and peer-reviewed studies report strong associations between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s, while the EPA’s recent FIFRA review concluded the evidence does not establish a clear link to the disease or cancer. Over 8,000 lawsuits remain unresolved, and long-term epidemiological data on the ban’s health effects are lacking.

Common Dreams

• “There are so many factors that are pointing to the correlation … between paraquat use and Parkinson’s,” — Michelle Bos-Lun, Vermont State Representative

The Guardian

• “If there is a chance that we could reduce the harm by making this step, it feels like that is a responsible thing to do,” — Michelle Bos-Lun, Vermont State Representative

The Guardian

• “The evidence linking paraquat exposure to increased Parkinson’s risk is strong and has been building for decades,” — Dan Feehan, Michael J. Fox Foundation

The Guardian

• “After a thorough review of the best available science, as required under FIFRA, EPA has not found a clear link between paraquat exposure from labeled uses and adverse health outcomes such as Parkinson’s disease and cancer.” — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Florida Today

California, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have introduced comparable bans, and federal legislators are pressing for a nationwide restriction. Vermont’s funded study will deliver recommendations on alternative weed-control methods by 2032, while Syngenta has announced it will cease paraquat production in the United States.

The Guardian