Paraquat is a highly toxic pesticide which repeatedly causes damage to health and deaths among workers and farmers. Paraquat is banned in Switzerland and the EU nations (among other countries) on account of its high toxicity. But Syngenta continues to sell this pesticide in many countries."Stop Paraquat", the citizens' action campaign coalition, has been demanding a ban on this highly toxic herbicide since 2002.
Syngenta continues to sell the herbicide paraquat in over one hundred countries, usually under the brand name of "Gramoxone". Its applications include use on banana, coffee, palm oil, cotton, rubber, fruit and pineapple plantations. Agricultural enterprises of all sizes use it on maize, corn and rice fields.
Workers and farmers who regularly come into contact with the herbicide paraquat have to combat severe health problems. The high toxicity of paraquat (for which no antidote is available) causes repeated deaths. Studies have also proven the following types of long-term damage due to chronic exposure to paraquat: impaired lung function, dermatoses (skin disorders) and neurodegenerative diseases.
How paraquat affects humans
1 Damage to the eyes: keratitis, conjunctivitis, destruction of the ocular surface.
2 Damage to the skin: ranging from reddening and blistering to severe burns. Dermatitis. In the worst cases, the absorption of paraquat into the body through damaged skin can lead to death.
3 Damage to the lungs: chronic lung damage.
4 Brain diseases: it is suspected that the risk of Parkinson's disease is increased by long-term exposure to paraquat.
5 Damage to fingernails and toenails: from discoloration to detachment.
6 Respiratory arrest: Ingestion of paraquat leads to lung fibrosis and death due to respiratory failure.
Damage to the liver, kidneys, the gastro-intestinal tract and the cardiovascular system are also possible.
200-300,000 people use pesticides to take their own lives every year. Paraquat is one of the most popular means of committing suicide because of its acutely toxic action. For all these reasons, various countries have either banned paraquat or have never even authorised it.
Expert report confirms: Syngenta is disregarding human rights by selling paraquat
The UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights adopted in June 2011 by the United Nations Human Rights Council were applied to a specific case for the first time in an Expert Report on Syngenta's Responsibility for Human Rights commissioned by Public Eye and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR). The verdict of this legal investigation is clear: Syngenta is disregarding elementary human rights by selling paraquat.
More information
Documents
Adverse health effects caused by paraquat – A bibliography of documented evidence (PDF, 2.8 MB)
— This literature review gives an update on the scientific information on the adverse health effects by paraquat. Over 200 scientific publications are referenced and summarized in the report.
Report: «Paraquat in India: Untenable risk for farmer and workers» (PDF, 1.9 MB)
— The report «Paraquat in India: Untenable risk for farmer and workers» shows that the herbicide paraquat is widely used under high–risk conditions in India. The report finds that rules and recommendations for paraquat use are often ignored, that users don’t have the required information, nor do they have the means to protect themselves from exposure. All of this violates the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management.
Report: «Paraquat: Unacceptable health risks for users» (PDF, 3.7 MB)
— This report shows how the herbicide Paraquat is responsible for health problems of farmers, workers and families all around the world.
Info Flyer: «Stop Paraquat»
— The flyer describes the negative effects of Syngenta herbicide Paraquat and refers to existing alternatives.
Case study: «Industry influence on the FAO/WHO in relation to the Guidelines on pesticide advertising» (PDF, 57 KB)
— A case study about the influence of the pesticide industry at the UN.
Report: «Goodbye Paraquat» (PDF, 208 KB)
— Major producers of bananas like Dole and Chiquita and smaller banana producers have stopped using Paraquat in their banana plantations. In sum, the results of our questionnaire show that Paraquat-free production of palm oil, banana and tea is not only desirable but is already a reality.
Legal Opinion: «The Distribution of Paraquat: Does Syngenta Respect Human Rights?» (PDF, 543 KB)
— The key question is whether the distribution of Paraquat constitutes a breach of Syngenta’s responsibility to respect human rights.
Paraquat - Unacceptable health risks for users (PDF, 516 KB)
— A report by Richard Isenring for Berne Declaration, Pesticide Action Network UK, Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific.
Paraquat – Syngenta’s controversial herbicide (PDF, 455 KB)
— A report written by John Madeley for Berne Declaration, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Pesticide Action Network UK, Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific and Foro Emaús.