![]() John, Imagine a weedkiller so toxic that even small, repeated exposures could damage your organs, disrupt your metabolism, and increase your risk of Parkinson's disease.1 That chemical is diquat, and right now it's being sprayed on vineyards, orchards and other agricultural areas around the country.2 Tell the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Phase out diquat and protect our health from this highly toxic herbicide. Diquat has been dropped into new formulas for Roundup and other herbicides in place of glyphosate, a weedkiller that has faced backlash over links to cancer and other harmful health effects.3 But replacing glyphosate with diquat is a textbook case of "regrettable substitution" -- when one dangerous chemical is just swapped with one that's even worse. Research shows that when it comes to chronic exposure, diquat may be up to 200 times more toxic than the glyphosate it's meant to replace.4 That toxicity is especially alarming because diquat is not just linked to Parkinson's disease, the herbicide is also a potential carcinogen and neurotoxin.5
Why on earth should we continue to allow the widespread use of a poison that may cause cancer and contribute to Parkinson's -- not to mention diquat is also believed to weaken your immune system and stomach lining, increase organ inflammation and even damage lung tissue.6 The negative health effects of diquat are simply too dangerous. Tell the EPA to end the use of this toxic herbicide. Yet despite this evidence, the EPA still isn't even reviewing diquat.7 Let alone taking it off store shelves. That kind of inaction is not going to make Americans healthy again. Diquat has already been banned in the United Kingdom, the European Union, China and many other countries. It's time the EPA stopped allowing this toxic chemical to be sprayed on our orchards, vineyards and fields. Add your name and tell the EPA to put an end to the use of diquat. After all, there are better, safer ways of containing weeds, limiting pest damage and improving the health of soil than exposing our bodies to chemicals that may cause debilitating health effects.8 Thank you for taking action for a saner, healthier way of growing our food, Faye Park |
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