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California advances paraquat ban despite industry pushback

California is moving closer to banning paraquat, a weed killer linked to Parkinson's disease, after a key legislative committee approved the measure.

Carey Gillam reports for The New Lede.

In short:

  • The ban would start on January 1, 2026, prohibiting all commerce involving paraquat.
  • California Assemblymember Laura Friedman and the Environmental Working Group are pushing the measure, citing safer alternatives and health risks to farm workers.
  • Internal documents revealed Syngenta’s awareness of paraquat’s risks and efforts to conceal evidence linking it to Parkinson's disease.