Recently, a 24-year old woman was awarded the death sentence by a Thiruvananthapuram court which found her guilty of poisoning her boyfriend in 2022 with a chemical herbicide called paraquat.
- What is Paraquat?
- A widely used herbicide, particularly effective in controlling weeds and preparing crops like cotton for harvest.
- Classified as a Category 2 chemical by the WHO (moderately hazardous and irritating).
- Banned in over 70 countries, including China and the EU, due to its dangers, though still legal in countries like the US and India.
- Health Hazards:
- Ingestion: A single sip can be fatal.
- Skin Contact: Prolonged exposure can lead to absorption, causing toxic effects.
- Inhalation: May result in severe respiratory complications.
- Linked to Parkinson’s Disease, though this connection is still under evaluation.
- While ingestion is the most common route of exposure, the chemical may also be transferred and absorbed through prolonged skin contact. Its inhalation can also cause respiratory issues.
- Usage Statistics:
- Despite its toxicity, paraquat use in the US doubled between 2014 and 2018, with 11 million pounds applied annually.
(Source: Indian Express)
