SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation late Friday that will require the state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation, or DPR, to prioritize the scientific reevaluation of the toxic weedkiller paraquat.
Scientific research shows paraquat exposure significantly increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease and other severe health issues, including cancer. The law, A.B. 1963, requires DPR to formally reevaluate paraquat by January 1, 2029, much sooner than its typical timeline. Some reviews languish for more than two decades.
“This is a very real win,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), who authored the legislation. “The legislature provided additional funding this year for the Department of Pesticide Regulation with the requirement that they do more re-evaluations of toxic chemicals. Paraquat will be at the top of that re-evaluation list.