Manufactured by Syngenta, a renowned chemical company, Gramoxone is a brand name under which you can find paraquat in the United States.
However, because paraquat, which is the active ingredient in Gramoxone, is highly toxic, only licensed applicators can use this herbicide.
Accordingly, people are required by federal law to undergo special training provided by the EPA to use paraquat products in order to become certified applicators.
Because of how dangerous Gramoxone is, not even individuals who work under the supervision of licensed applicators can use it. It is forbidden to use Gramoxone around home gardens, schools, recreational parks, golf courses, and playgrounds.
The product, which is a restricted use pesticide, contains nearly 44% paraquat dichloride, which makes it very dangerous, as even one sip of Gramoxone can be fatal, particularly for children. For this reason, if you are a certified applicator of paraquat, you must keep it in a locked area. Moreover, people who are qualified to mix, load, and apply paraquat must always wear adequate protective equipment, which includes:
Following the use of Gramoxone, they must also properly dispose of the protective equipment they wore and thoroughly wash their hands before eating, using the toilet, smoking, or touching their faces. To avoid being mistaken for beverages such as coffee, Gramoxone contains safeguard additives, including a blue dye, a strong odor, and a substance that induces vomiting upon accidental ingestion.
Direct exposure to Gramoxone through ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation is highly dangerous and is often fatal. This is one of the reasons why the Environmental Protection Agency requires agricultural workers who want to use this product to undergo special training that will teach them about the dangers of paraquat, the new label requirements, and restrictions, as well as the consequences of misuse.
Gramoxone has been manufactured in the country for over 50 years and is currently one of the most popular herbicides, as it can easily destroy weeds and grasses that are resistant to glyphosate, another toxic herbicide sold under the brand name of Roundup. It is approved for use on more than 100 different crops, including:
It is worthy of note that paraquat is deactivated when it comes in contact with the soil by rapidly binding to soil particles and thereby does not have a negative effect on groundwater or soil organisms even after years of frequent application. Gramoxone is sold in containers of 5 liters, 1 liter, and 500 milliliters.
The concentration of paraquat in this herbicide is 200 grams per liter. Gramoxone is fast-acting in every weather condition, regardless of active weed growth, temperature, and soil moisture. Moreover, the unique speed of action of the product allows the growth of multiple crops per season, which maximizes yield.
If you worked with or were around Gramoxone, we strongly advise you to keep a close eye on your health and ask your family members to do the same for you, as you have a 250% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease than the general population.
They must look for symptoms such as a tremor in arms, legs, jaw, or head, slowness of movement, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, and impaired balance and coordination, which may indicate the onset of the condition. If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your family member who was exposed to paraquat, you should encourage them to seek medical attention.
Furthermore, because up to 30% of people with Parkinson's disease are initially misdiagnosed, you should also advise your family member to seek a second and even a third opinion if they experience these symptoms but do not receive a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. It is important to know that people with a history of paraquat exposure who have Parkinson's disease are eligible for compensation from the liable manufacturer.
While the process is quite complex, it will require minimal involvement on your part and a family member can help you navigate it, as we are aware that most of our clients are in great physical and emotional distress.
Eventually, you will know with certainty if you qualify for filing a claim for paraquat exposure, and our team of professionals will guide you to a specialized attorney who will file your claim with the responsible manufacturer. For additional information, please feel free to contact us, and we will gladly answer your questions.
With over 35 years of experience in evaluating personal injury and product liability claims, the team of experts at Atraxia Law is ready to provide you with quality assistance, which will help you determine whether you are eligible for filing a paraquat exposure claim. To become eligible, you must have worked with or been around paraquat products such as Gramoxone and have a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.