The herbicide paraquat is so toxic it’s banned in over 70 countries. But its use in the U.S. is growing, despite known links to Parkinson’s disease. In southeastern Mississippi, an industrial plant is leaking tens of thousands of pounds of the chemical into the air.

Environmental reporter Delaney Nolan and epidemiologist Beate Ritz join Host Flora Lichtman to discuss the implications of this leak, and what we know about how paraquat affects the body.

Guests:

Delaney Nolan is an environmental reporter based in New Orleans. She reported this story for The Lens and the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

Dr. Beate Ritz is a professor of epidemiology at UCLA in Los Angeles.

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Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson's is on the rise in the US

Science Friday

Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson's is on the rise in the US