"We need to do more to protect our vulnerable community members — particularly our agricultural workers."
California is considering banning a dangerous chemical already outlawed in other countries with similar thriving agricultural economies.
On April 8, the Los Angeles Times reported that new legislation is aiming to ban paraquat, a weed-killer that researchers have linked to severe health problems, including Parkinson's disease and cancers like childhood leukemia.
"At its core, this bill is about protecting public safety," said Assemblymember Laura Friedman, a Democrat from the 44th District who proposed the bill, according to the report. "This is a very toxic chemical, it's not something that is necessary, and we need to do more to protect our vulnerable community members — particularly our agricultural workers."
According to the report, California sprays millions of pounds of the weed killer every year. Boasting the world's fifth-largest economy, it uses more paraquat than any other U.S. state.