Vermont First State to Ban Parkinson's-Linked Pesticide Paraquat

Event summary

  • Vermont passed bipartisan legislation to ban paraquat, a pesticide linked to Parkinson's disease, with a phased implementation ending in December 2030.
  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) has advocated for over a decade to eliminate paraquat exposure, submitting 90+ scientific studies to the EPA and collecting 150,000+ petition signatures.
  • The EPA's reassessment of paraquat's safety, initiated in 2022, remains incomplete as of May 2026.
  • Similar paraquat ban legislation is being pursued in a dozen states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.

The big picture

Vermont's ban on paraquat marks a significant public health milestone and a potential turning point in the growing bipartisan effort to protect communities from pesticide exposure. The Michael J. Fox Foundation's decade-long advocacy highlights the tension between state-level action and federal inaction, as the EPA's ongoing review of paraquat's safety remains unresolved. With similar legislation being pursued in other states, the momentum for a national ban is building, signaling a broader shift in environmental and health policy priorities.

What we're watching

Regulatory Momentum
Whether other states will follow Vermont's lead in banning paraquat, accelerating a nationwide shift away from the pesticide.
Federal Action
The pace at which the EPA completes its paraquat safety review and whether it will impose a federal ban.
Industry Adaptation
How farmers and agricultural workers will transition to safer, cost-effective alternatives during the phased ban period.

Related topics

Public Health