AB 1963, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, requires California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation to complete a reevaluation of paraquat dichloride by January 1, 2029. Paraquat dichloride is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the country for killing weeds, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The agency states that the substance is “highly toxic” and that a small sip can be fatal. More than 60 countries have banned the use of paraquat. In 2022, 373,438 pounds of paraquat were sprayed across California in 6,264 unique applications, according to state data. Health Impact and Research A 2024 UCLA study … Continue reading California’s Paraquat Herbicide Law Targets Health Risks; Critical Reevaluation of 373,000 Pounds Sprayed Amid New Parkinson’s Disease Link as Thousands Battle Health Concerns in Fields