Experts back proposed ban on paraquat herbicide

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Experts have welcomed a proposed ban on paraquat, a herbicide linked to serious harm to human health, Deccan Herald reports. The chemical primarily affects the lungs and kidneys. Pulmonary fibrosis is among the most common consequences of exposure, according to the report.

Studies have also linked paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The proposed ban puts the focus on preventing exposure to a chemical whose reported effects extend beyond immediate poisoning. The source does not identify the authority behind the proposal or give a timeline for its implementation.