As man-made climate change continues destabilizing weather patterns worldwide, the vulnerable agricultural sector has been forced to adapt its strategies and operations to accounting for the unpredictable seasonal variations, irregular precipitations, and resource scarcity that threaten its productivity. Ironically, the industry itself inadvertently contributes to these concerns, being responsible for up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. With temperatures continuing to rise and invasive species flourishing, farmers have grown dependent on synthetic pesticides that not only have the potential to further deteriorate the environment but also represent a severe health hazard for exposed individuals. Over the years, several eco-friendly alternatives and sustainable approaches have been suggested to reduce the industry’s reliance on toxic agrochemicals, especially Paraquat exposure.
Climate Change Drives Higher Pesticide Use
The nutritional needs of an ever-growing world populace are projected to exponentially increase foodstuff demands by the end of the century, placing significant stress on an already strained agricultural sector adjusting to the new environmental paradigm. In addition to resource-related challenges, volatile climate conditions can also drive unsustainable practices, which, while profitable in the short term, have distressing long-term implications.
Higher temperatures and industrial mono-cropping provide ideal conditions and abundant resources for agricultural pests to thrive and expand their range. Consequentially, even greater amounts of pesticides are applied across wider expanses to protect crops.
However, this has the unintended effect of selectively pressuring pests to adapt, pushing them to develop resistance to agrochemicals with every subsequent and more resilient generation. As weeds and pests progressively build tolerance, farmers employ even stronger pesticides whose toxic ingredients represent a genuine health hazard for humans.
One such hazard is the potent herbicide paraquat.
Paraquat Exposure and Its Toxicity to Humans
Found in products like Gramoxone, paraquat (paraquat dichloride) stands out due to its high toxicity to humans, so potent that “one sip can kill.” Although listed as a restricted-use substance requiring EPA-mandated training and certification to handle, paraquat is legal and widely used in US agriculture, especially on weeds that developed immunity to other herbicides like glyphosate.
According to the US Geologic Survey, agricultural paraquat applications total more than 17 million pounds annually, with California using the lion’s share (1.3 million pounds). However, there’s a good reason why paraquat is currently banned in over 67 counties around the world.
Paraquat exposure, especially prolonged exposure has been linked to higher risks of Parkinson’s disease (PD), a debilitating neurodegenerative condition likely caused by the herbicide’s capacity to induce oxidative stress. A recent study conducted in California’s Central Valley found higher PD prevalence among agricultural workers and farming communities exposed to the toxic herbicide. Other studies covering paraquat exposure across the same demographic surfaced similar higher risks of pregnancy and fetal issues, as well as breast and thyroid cancer. Notably, the Golden State also has the most PD diagnoses out of all US states (106,710).
Paraquat Exposure Effects on the Environment
In addition to public health concerns, overreliance on dangerous pesticides also represents a hazard to soil quality. With nearly 33% of the world’s soil already degraded, non-selective herbicides like paraquat can disrupt the web of complex biochemical interactions that ensure land fertility and its ability to trap carbon. Furthermore, while pests and invasive weeds develop resistance, pollinating species like bees that play a vital economic role are vulnerable to paraquat and are decreasing in population.
Another way that pesticides impact the environment is through their contribution to global warming since massive amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are emitted during their manufacturing process. Moreover, aside from petrochemicals also representing key ingredients in some pesticide formulations, the use of fossil fuels for powering agricultural machinery, transporting, and applying pesticides further increases agrochemicals’ carbon footprint.
Taken together, the agricultural sector’s dependence on dangerous petrochemicals, unsafe pesticides that burden fields for decades, and unsustainable practices that impact soil carbon retention create a self-sustaining cycle of environmental hazards – As temperatures keep rising, pests and weeds proliferate, requiring even larger quantities of pesticides to ensure crop yields.
Pesticide-Free Agriculture, Economically Feasible
Considering climate change’s projected long-term impact on agriculture, employing environmentally-conscious strategies will become necessary to ensure the industry’s longevity. As pesticide manufacturers disingenuously attempt to greenwash their products as solutions against climate change, it’s even more essential to examine non-toxic alternatives that don’t pose a threat to the environment or public health.
Regenerative agriculture increases the soil’s ability to sequester carbon while simultaneously mitigating its loss. Approaches like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Weed Management (IWM) rely on targeted irrigation, natural predators, and other eco-friendly pest control methods. Meanwhile, cover crops and no-till farming reduce GHG emissions and help control weeds naturally while also maintaining soil quality and preventing erosion.
Despite the availability of practical alternatives, farmers and national regulators are concerned that banning paraquat will negatively affect crop yields, agricultural workers’ livelihoods, and food security. However, a recent study found that countries that have already banned the toxic herbicide didn’t report any decline in productivity, with some even reporting higher yields.
Other environmentally-sustainable and economically-viable approaches that can help farmers reduce their dependence on toxic pesticides include living mulches, thermal weeding, mechanical or manual removal, controlled livestock grazing, crop rotation and diversification, and increasing beneficial insect populations that keep agricultural pests at bay.
Although chemical alternatives to paraquat exist, most synthetic substitutes are still toxic to humans and the environment. On the other hand, while bioherbicides based on natural and safe ingredients have shown significant promise, their decreased potency means they’re less effective as singular solutions than synthetic formulations.
Phasing out and banning dangerous pesticides will not only ensure crop quality and reduce consumer anxieties regarding their safety, it will also protect farmworkers and agricultural communities from toxic exposure and disproportionate health burdens. Replacing or eliminating petrochemical-based pesticides allows soil quality to be better maintained over the long term, trapping carbon and other GHGs. Finally, by moving away from its dependence on fossil fuels and toxic pesticides, the agricultural sector can significantly reduce its carbon footprint and help reverse some of the environmental damage it has contributed to.
About the Author
Miguel Leyva serves as a case manager at Atraxia Law, helping individuals who were exposed to unsafe substances gather and organize the necessary documentation to file injury claims against liable manufacturers.
