Paraquat vs. Roundup: A Tale of Two Herbicides

When it comes to powerful weed killers, two names often come up: Roundup and Paraquat. Both are widely used in agriculture and commercial landscaping, but they have also become the focus of major health controversies and thousands of lawsuits. While they serve a similar purpose, these two herbicides are very different in their chemical makeup, associated health risks, and the legal claims being made against their manufacturers.

Understanding the distinction between them is crucial for anyone who has been exposed to these chemicals and subsequently developed a serious illness. At Walch Law, we are extremely knowledgeable about Paraquat and Roundup and the damaging impact these toxic herbicides have on your health. Ready to get started? Call Walch Law now.

Active Ingredients and How They Work

The primary difference lies in their active ingredients.

• Roundup: The active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate. It works by inhibiting an enzyme essential for plant growth. It is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants it touches. Glyphosate is widely available for both commercial and residential use.
• Paraquat: The active ingredient is paraquat dichloride. It is also a non-selective herbicide, but it works much more quickly by destroying plant cells on contact. Due to its extreme toxicity, Paraquat is a restricted-use pesticide in the United States, available only to commercially licensed applicators.

Associated Health Risks and Lawsuits

Both herbicides have been linked to severe, life-altering health conditions, which form the basis of ongoing litigation.

Roundup and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

The main legal controversy surrounding Roundup involves its link to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Lawsuits against Monsanto (now Bayer) allege that the company knew glyphosate was carcinogenic for years but failed to warn the public. Plaintiffs are typically agricultural workers, landscapers, and groundskeepers who experienced prolonged exposure and were later diagnosed with NHL or one of its subtypes.

Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease

Paraquat, on the other hand, is primarily linked to Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Scientific studies have suggested that exposure to Paraquat can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s by damaging dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Lawsuits against manufacturers like Syngenta and Chevron claim that these companies were aware of the neurotoxic effects and failed to provide adequate warnings. Plaintiffs are almost exclusively licensed applicators who handled the chemical directly.

Key Differences in Regulation and Legal Claims

The legal and regulatory landscapes for these two chemicals are distinct.

Feature	Roundup (Glyphosate)	Paraquat
Primary Health Risk	Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma	Parkinson’s Disease
Who Can Use It?	General public and commercial users	Licensed commercial applicators only
Basis of Lawsuit	Failure to warn about cancer risk	Failure to warn about neurotoxic effects
Typical Plaintiff	Farmers, landscapers, home gardeners	Licensed agricultural workers

Because Paraquat is so acutely toxic, it is banned in more than 30 countries, though it is still used in the U.S. under strict regulation. Roundup remains widely available for consumer purchase, although some local jurisdictions have restricted its use.

What This Means for You- Call Walch Law Now

The legal battles over Roundup and Paraquat highlight the serious consequences that can arise when powerful chemicals are used without full knowledge of their long-term health effects. While both are effective weed killers, the evidence linking them to devastating diseases cannot be ignored.

If you or a loved one has a history of using either of these products and has been diagnosed with a related illness, it is vital to understand which chemical you were exposed to. A winning toxic herbicide lawyer at Walch Law can help you determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through the complex legal process. Call now— we take all our cases on a contingency fee basis so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by hiring Robert and Gary Walch to handle your Roundup or Paraquat lawsuit.