In addition, recent research has shown that diquat poses significant health risks, yet diquat is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States. This chemical has long been primarily used in vineyards and orchards. It is now facing unprecedented scrutiny due to its neurotoxic properties and potential links to grave health issues such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Given that diquat is heavily used, such a safety insinuation is alarming at best. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not used its authority to ban it.
Diquat is classified as a possible human carcinogen and poses severe reproductive and developmental risks to human health. Research has shown that it can be toxic to the kidneys and other organs. The chemical, a kidney toxicant, harms kidney cells by rupturing their membranes. It does so by shutting down crucial cell signaling pathways, causing permanent structural and functional damage. In addition to eliminating the useful bacteria in our microbiome, it’s been shown zaps our gut bacteria, with horrible downstream health effects.
The toxicity of diquat is notably concerning. Taking chronic exposure into account, research has found that it is at least 200 times more toxic than glyphosate. Like glyphosate and paraquat, use of these substances is reducing in the U.S. In their stead, diquat is gaining popularity, which has recently sent health experts into a tizzy.
Nathan Donley, a scientist with the Center for Pesticide Regulation, called the chemical far more damaging to human health than glyphosate. He warned that what we’re seeing is a tragic substitution, and the dangerous regulatory framework is allowing this epidemic to thrive. This startling statement from Administrator Regan underscores the long overdue need for more extensive evaluations of pesticides. This is important because, despite its serious risks, diquat is still in use.
Diquat’s use is not without controversy. And yet, it is still legal to do this in the U.S. It’s why it’s already been banned by numerous other countries, including the UK, EU, and China. This difference among states raises some critical questions. Pesticide regulations in the U.S. have come under fire for being inadequate and lagging when it comes to dealing with new health threats that arise.
Health professionals raised alarm over the long-term effects of diquat exposure. The possible connection to Parkinson’s disease makes the situation even more complicated. This chronic, degenerative disease is perhaps best known for its crippling impact on one’s motor coordination and drastically reduces patients’ quality of life. This concern is made worse by recent research showing that diquat may have long-term harmful impacts on human health.
Diquat is still sprayed widely in American vineyards and orchards. Experts have been fighting for the removal of this dangerous chemical, warning that its harmful effects reach consumers through the food they eat. The lack of any regulatory environment has allowed us to continue its use, even with the overwhelming evidence against it.
“Other countries have banned diquat, but in the US we’re still fighting the fights that Europe won 20 years ago,” Donley remarked, highlighting the slow pace of change in U.S. regulations regarding pesticide safety.