Company to cease production of toxic herbicide banned in more than 70 countries

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Multinational agriculture technology company Syngenta announced last Tuesday (March 3) that it will cease global production of the herbicide paraquat by the end of June, including at its facility in Iberville Parish.

Banned in more than 70 countries, paraquat is repackaged and distributed in the United States from Syngenta’s manufacturing site in St. Gabriel, a small city that sits along a heavily-industrialized stretch of the Mississippi River. Nicknamed “Cancer Alley” residents in St. Gabriel face a higher risk of cancer from industrial air pollution than most of the country.

Syngenta did not respond to questions from Verite News about whether any workers will be laid off as a result of the decision or how operations may change at the St. Gabriel facility. In 2024, the facility employed 350 full-time staff and another 450 contractors, according to the company.

The decision comes as the company faces thousands of lawsuits for failing to inform users of paraquat’s many health risks. But a Syngenta representative said the move was made for “entirely a commercial reason,” citing high competition from other producers. Some local residents and environmental activists celebrated the move, calling it a step in the right direction to protect workers from the dangerous herbicide and possibly reduce air pollution in the community. Verite News reported in November on the work of St. Gabriel activists to monitor and reduce chemical air pollution.

U.S. farmers commonly use the highly toxic paraquat for weed control. Much of the paraquat used by the farmers enters the country through New Orleans, according to a recent report by Coming Clean, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas and Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network. Along the way, workers at the ports and in the company’s facilities risk exposure to the chemical.

A 2017 Environmental Protection Agency memo noted that paraquat is so toxic that “one sip can kill,” and that even minimal contact can cause serious injury to the eyes and skin. Inhaling paraquat can also cause lung damage, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure to the chemical is associated with Parkinson’s disease. A 2020 Louisiana State University study concluded there is a greater risk of the disease in areas where pesticides, including paraquat, are used.

Coming Clean, an environmental justice nonprofit, said while the decision comes at a time when public awareness of the dangers of paraquat is rising, much more work remains to be done to eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in farming.

“Paraquat has poisoned people and the environment since its genesis, and while one less company making it is worthy of celebration, the movement must press onward toward global food supply chains that are not reliant on toxic pesticides,” the organization said in a press release.

In a press release, Syngenta said the decision “reflects significant competition from generic producers around the world, which has eroded Syngenta’s competitiveness in the production of this herbicide.” The company’s statement reaffirmed their belief that paraquat is safe when used correctly and did not address research showing links between the herbicide and Parkinson’s disease nor the ongoing lawsuits.

Alex Robertson, 57, a former chemical plant worker who regularly liaises between the chemical industry and city council, called the move a “step in the right direction.” He said despite what the company claims, he believes Syngenta took into account the growing number of lawsuits in deciding to cease paraquat production.

“The business decision is that they know they’re going to be in more legal trouble later down the road,” he said. “If they don’t stop making it, they’re going to face lawsuits.”

Robertson added that while he is also not anti-industry, he believes the factories can and should reduce chemical emissions and be honest about what they are releasing into the environment, in addition to providing more jobs, scholarships and infrastructure for the community.

“I think lawsuits can be a very powerful nudge and a reminder, if people feel that a company is not doing the right thing,” said Marylee Orr, founder and executive director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN). The environmental not-for-profit installed air quality monitors along the Mississippi River in 2023 and has been working to install some in St. Gabriel for the past few years. Data collected from previously installed LEAN monitors showed high levels of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in neighboring communities.

“It’s a very highly toxic substance,” Orr said. “We’re not happy about people (potentially) losing jobs, but we’re happy about people’s health being protected.”

Syngenta’s facility produced over 52,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023. In 2024, the facility emitted 76 tons in total toxic volatile organic compounds, which hang in the air and are known to cause eye, nose and throat irritation, nervous system issues and liver and kidney damage. St. Gabriel is also home to other industrial plants that emit hazardous chemicals including ethylene oxide, a carcinogen.

Retired counselor and local environmental activist Reginald Grace, 72, said while the news is welcome, he does not believe St. Gabriel’s leadership will pressure local factories to limit production of other toxic chemicals, nor will they assist in the installation of air quality monitors for residents to hold factories accountable if emissions are indeed increasing over time.

“We have enough (cancer) cases here as it is, so this would be something less to worry about,” he said. “I’m not going to City Council because they don’t take action on anything. I’m just glad that it’s happened.”

The St. Gabriel City Council and the mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Melvin Craige, 75, is a lifelong resident of St. Gabriel. He said he doesn’t want to be seen as anti-industry because the factories have provided various social services over the years, including college scholarships, tutoring, new school computers and trade skill classes such as welding and piping. Craige was principal of East Iberville Elementary and High School from 1990 to 2005.

However, like many St. Gabriel residents, Craige is aware of the scientific research showing the negative health effects of air pollution caused by chemical production and is in support of installing air quality monitors.

“I want them to do a better job of filtering hazardous chemicals that they know are hazardous,” he said. “I think it’s great (news) … I think they did what was best for themselves and also for the community.”

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This story was originally published by Verite News and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.