Congressman Greg Casar Leads 46 Members of Congress to Demand EPA Bans Use of Paraquat to Protect Public Health
Herbicide linked to serious, long term health risks including Parkinson’s disease
Golfers are already protected, farmworkers and rural Americans should be too
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) and 46 other Members of Congress are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the use of an herbicide, Paraquat, in the U.S. to protect public health. Paraquat is already banned in over 70 countries.
The Members of Congress released a letter today urging EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan to protect farm workers, rural Americans, and the environment from the harmful effects of Paraquat and ban the use of the herbicide in the U.S. Exposure to the herbicide is linked to life threatening diseases like Parkinson’s disease and thyroid cancer, and linked to an increase in soil and water pollution.
“Paraquat is a toxic substance linked to life threatening diseases and grave impacts on the environment — it has been banned in dozens of countries and should be banned in the United States,” the members wrote. “We urge the EPA to change course and deliver critical protections for farmworkers, agricultural communities, and the environment by banning Paraquat.”
The EPA has already banned Paraquat for areas such as golf courses and recreational areas. If Paraquat is too dangerous for golfers, it is too dangerous for farm workers and rural Americans. Nearly 70 countries have banned or discontinued the use of Paraquat, including China, Brazil, the European Union, and Canada.
The letter is led by U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35), and signed by U.S. RepresentativesAlma Adams (NC-12), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Cori Bush (MO-01), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Al Green (TX-09), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Katie Porter (CA-47), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).
It is endorsed by the Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, American Sustainable Business Network, Beyond Pesticides, the Brian Grant Foundation, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety, the Davis Phinney Foundation, Earthjustice, Ecological Landscape Alliance, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, Green New Deal Network, HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance, GreenLatinos, Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA!), League of Conservation Voters, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Parkinson Association of Alabama, Parkinson Association of Northern California, PD Avengers (Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease Assn.), Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network (PAN), Pesticide Action Network, Power for Parkinson’s, Power Over Parkinson’s, the Rachel Carson Council, Re:wild Your Campus, Rural Coalition, United Farm Workers (UFW), and the United Farm Workers Foundation (UFWF).
“The people who feed us should not face twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease,” said Geoff Horsfield, policy director for the Environmental Working Group (EWG). “President Biden’s EPA should put the people who feed us ahead of the profits of a pesticide company that hid the risks of paraquat for decades. Seventy countries have banned paraquat, so we know that farmers have plenty of safer options. We are grateful to Rep. Casar for his leadership in protecting farmers and farmworkers.”
“More than 1 million people in the U.S. live with Parkinson’s disease, the second most common and fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world,” said Ted Thompson, senior vice president of public policy at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. “With only about 30 percent of Parkinson’s risk explained by genetics, we know that other factors — including environmental risks like exposure to toxic chemicals — can play a role in the development of the disease. We appreciate Representative Casar’s efforts to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency is doing all it can to protect Americans from the harms associated with exposure to these toxins.”
“Every day across America, farm workers, as well as their families and communities, are exposed to Paraquat – a dangerous chemical known to cause severe health impacts,” said Teresa Romero, president of UFW. “We commend Congressman Casar for fighting to ensure that every worker is safe on the job and we call on the EPA to listen to the concerns of the people who put food on all of our tables.”
“The UFW Foundation supports the banning of Paraquat, a chemical whose exposure puts the lives of hundreds of thousands of farm workers at risk,” said Erica Lomeli, interim chief executive officer of the UFW Foundation. “Farm workers deserve a safe environment free from harmful substances that can impact not only their health but also the well-being of their families. Not only is Paraquat dangerous for farm workers, but it also poses significant risks to consumers who may ingest produce treated with this pesticide.”
“We thank Rep. Casar and his colleagues for their leadership in urging the EPA to finally remove this dangerous chemical from the market,” said Lorette Picciano, executive director of the Rural Coalition. “We have heard from far too many farmers, ranchers and workers in communities we serve who have developed Parkinsons and other diseases. The devastating cost to their lives and health, families and communities far outweigh any possible benefit of Paraquat’s continued use.”
Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.
Our Fall Newsletter is Out and Available for Download Below
Our Fall newsletter is now out and available for download in English and Spanish below. In this issue you’ll read stories from Brian, from women experiencing Parkinson’s, tips for the Fall season, and more.
Want the newsletter mailed to your home or business?
If you would like to receive a copy mailed straight to your mailbox, join our mail list. The BGF newsletter is produce twice a year, in the Spring and Fall. send your send us your mailing address to info at Brian grant adore.
Season 6 of On Time: A Parkinson’s Podcastlaunches on Monday, October 7, 2024. Host Larry Gifford leads a four-part series on the environmental toxins linked to Parkinson’s disease. His conversations with top researchers, people with Parkinson’s having known toxin exposure, and champions leading advocacy efforts, all help us understand the alarming relationship between toxic chemicals and Parkinson’s and the actions we all can take to address the problem.
Episode 1: Environmental Toxins and Parkinson’s – Airs Monday, October 7, 2024 In this opening episode, guest Dr. Ray Dorsey, Neurologist and Author of “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” explores how chemicals in our daily environment, from pesticides in food to industrial pollutants in the air, may be linked to the rise of Parkinson’s disease. Despite mounting scientific evidence, we discuss why these chemicals remain in use, the implications for public health, and steps we can take to avoid these toxins.
Episode 2: The TCE and Pesticide Connection – Airs Monday, October 14, 2024 In this episode we get the historical context and regulatory challenges surrounding pesticide use with researcher Dr. Caroline Tanner, Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center. Then, retired lawyer, Dan Kinel, shares his journey with Parkinson’s, his story of Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure working for years in downtown New York, and his work in patient advocacy.
Episode 3: A Champion for Veterans – Airs Monday, October 21, 2024 We hear from Dr. Sara Whittingham, a USAF Veteran, physician, Ironman triathlete, wife and mother. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She has become a vocal advocate for Veterans who have been denied benefits despite known exposure to chemicals linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Episode 4: Advocating for a Safer Future – Airs Monday, October 28, 2024 In this final episode of season 6, Brian Grant and his mother, Dorella Grant talk about their time at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base, and the ongoing battle for accountability and justice for those affected by military environmental exposures. Then, Ted Thompson with the Michael J. Fox Foundation discusses major policy advancements and the role of advocacy in driving legislative change.
By Theresa Harczo, RN, Providence Brain and Spine Center, Portland, OR
Manage your TIME and MOOD when Daylight Savings ends on November 3rd
This time of year, your brain might release chemicals that cause depression symptoms. 3 Talk to your Primary Care provider about antidepressants, talk therapy, and other options if you notice these signs:
Low mood
Lack of energy or interest in usual activities
Changes in weight or sleep patterns
Social withdrawal
Even for those who don’t experience depression, mood boosting activities are important!
Stay socially engaged with friends and family.1
Be active outdoors and watch the leaves change colors.
Try yoga or meditation.2
Get sun exposure, when possible, or use light therapy with at least 10,000 lux to release serotonin.4
Don’t lose your cool in the COLD
Have you noticed differences in your motor symptoms when the seasons change? Cold weather can increase tremor5, stiffness, and slowness. Autonomic dysfunction caused by Parkinson’s can make it harder to regulate your body temperature.6 Find ways to keep cozy:
Dress in layers of clothing, including a snug-fitting base layer
Sip hot beverages throughout the day
Keep a spare pair of gloves and a scarf in your bag or car
Enjoying a good night’s SLEEP without going into hibernation
When the sun sets earlier, our bodies get signals to go to sleep earlier. But don’t be tempted to crawl in bed right after dinner, or you might alter your sleep schedule too much! Try to keep consistent with going to bed and waking up at the same time most days.7
Control your climate! Support your body’s internal clock with these strategies:
Turn on interior lights during the evening to stay alert
Set your thermostat for a comfortable room temperature, not too warm or cold
Treat yourself to fun, active hobbies when the days are shorter, and the air is cooler. You deserve to enjoy these months as much as any other!
Amy Becker, Advocacy Director at The Michael J. Fox Foundation provided all the reasons and ways you can advocate for the Parkinson’s community on the National Day of Action on September 17, 2024. Learn about the policy priorities for the National Day of Action, what they mean for the Parkinson’s community, and how you can get involved.
Football season is here and my excitement for the game has grown since my son, Jaydon, started playing. I’m proud of him and all my kids – I’m the proud dad of five college graduates, with another graduating next year. And my two youngest sons (we call them “the littles”) are already tearing it up in football, baseball, and soccer. This summer I took the littles to see their older brother practice. I don’t have the words to describe how much joy I felt that day.
Most of my kids were in grade school when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Some of them don’t know or can’t remember a time when I wasn’t living with the disease. For many years I was worried about how Parkinson’s would affect my ability to be a father, especially when I was dealing with my own mental health struggles. I didn’t want Parkinson’s to negatively impact my kids, but I also didn’t want to hide it from them. So, I was open and honest about how I was doing and made sure to involve them in the Parkinson’s community from the very beginning. And as it turns out, they have become intelligent, compassionate people who want to do what they can to help others.
My kids are the greatest joy of my life and my purpose. When this disease gets me down, I remind myself that I’m raising amazing kids and that I get to be a part of their incredible lives. We share a purpose in the Brian Grant Foundation, and we’re grateful that you’re a part of it with us.
Power forward,
Brian
Brought to you by AbbVie, Amneal, CND Life Sciences, Providence Brain and Spine Institute, and StrivePD.
As a member of the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, the Brian Grant Foundation will be joining forces with advocates across the county on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to urge the federal government to take steps to better understand and address environmental risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases.
We will urge the White House to ban paraquat, a harmful chemical thought to increase Parkinson’s risk by up to 500 percent. We will urge Congress to cosponsor the HEALTHY BRAINS Act (H.R. 9233), a new bill that would direct the federal government to research environmental risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
How can you join the movement!
Led by the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, the Parkinson’s National Day of Action is entirely virtual, and it only takes a few minutes to participate! On September 17, participants in the National Day of Action will:
1. Sign a petition to the White House urging them to ban paraquat, a harmful herbicide thought to increase Parkinson’s risk by as much as 500 percent.
2. Send an email to Congress to ask them to cosponsor the HEALTHY BRAINS Act (H.R. 9233), a new bill that would direct the federal government to research environmental risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
Watchour September Wellness Webcast: Advocate for the Parkinson’s Community on the National Day of Action
Amy Becker, Advocacy Director at The Michael J. Fox Foundation spoke to us about the important legislative work being done this year and how you can advocate for the Parkinson’s community on the National Day of Action on September 17. Learn about the policy priorities for the National Day of Action, what they mean for the Parkinson’s community, and how you can get involved.
More than 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s, the second most common and fastest growing neurological disease. The good news? You can help us get closer to a cure by participating in the Parkinson’s National Day of Action!
By “Twitchy Woman” Sharon Krischer –Author of the blog “Twitchy Woman, My Adventures with Parkinson’s Disease” and women with PD advocate.
When I was diagnosed 15 years ago, there were not a lot of resources for women with Parkinson’s. I did not know any other women with PD and the few support groups in my area met at times that didn’t work for me. I had one male friend who was diagnosed about the same time, so the two of us became our own support group of two.
I am glad to say that things have definitely changed in the last 15 years. Since I started writing my blog, Twitchy Woman, My Adventures with Parkinson’s, 10 years ago, I have been fortunate to have many opportunities open up to me as a woman with PD. I have met many other women through the various PD organizations and at the 3 World Parkinson Congresses that I have attended. We have participated in studies about women with PD, attended events specifically for PD and we have worked hard to dispel the idea that Parkinson’s is an old white man’s disease.
Many women with PD continue to work long after their diagnosis. Younger women have been raising a family in addition to work in many cases. We have shown that life does continue after a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
I recently reached out to some of the women whom I have met and have given me inspiration over the years, to give me some tips for Women with Parkinson’s. All of them have been living with Parkinson’s for 10 years or more. I hope that they give you inspiration on your journey with Parkinson’s.
Continue to do what you love.
Linda says if you love dancing, dance. If you love running, run. Continue to cook, travel, learn, read…whatever speaks to you. Keep positive people in your life that accept you as you are. Continue to do things for others. Giving makes one feel good and satisfied. Have a purpose in life and always try to better yourself-even in little ways.
Keep looking ahead, keep a smile on your face and keep moving.
Carole ‘s advice is that worrying and being angry does no one any good. Do something every day that is physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Smile and keep moving!
Make yourself a priority.
According to Jen, despite a scary, life altering diagnosis, you can live well with PD. You must make yourself a priority! Embrace exercise and a diet rich in fruits, veggies nuts, whole grains, and lots of H2O. Be your own advocate. Keep a journal of side effects of meds and your symptoms to share with your doctor. Your doctors know about PD and medicine, but you know your body!
Finding Community, having meaningful projects to engage in.
Farrell says that finding your community, along with exercise, trying to be positive, and researching the latest information about the disease are all important. Seeing how others are trying their best to live well with PD constantly inspires her to keep going.
Find a Mentor with Parkinson’s.
From Susan, one of the creators of the Twitchy Woman Mentor team, who wrote this with no pressure from me: “Holding hands with others gives your force against the storm much more power. Which is the mission of Twitchywoman.com and it’s peer support mentor program.”
Ask for help. It’s OK.
Naomi has a few words of wisdom to share: It’s okay to ask for and/or receive help. Do the things that bring you joy. Sing, dance, laugh. Get dressed up. Take a class, learn something new.
My Final Tips
My advice to you – listen to these wise women. Keep a positive outlook, do what you love to do. Exercise, take care of yourself physically and spiritually. Exercise! Find joy! Eat well and keep on moving!!!
Finally, find your community. You don’t need to go it alone as you move forward with Parkinson’s. Find a Parkinson’s buddy through the Michael J Fox Foundation, your local PD organization or Twitchy Woman’s Mentor Program.
Just remember that together, we will do better.
Hugs,
Sharon
About Sharon: Sharon Krischer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in January 2009. About 6 years ago Sharon started writing a blog called “Twitchy Woman, My Adventures with Parkinson’s Disease” to fill a need for information about living with Parkinson’s Disease from the patient’s point of view for people who were newly diagnosed. Her goal is to present living well with PD in a positive, sometimes humorous way. Sharon lives in Beverly Hills, CA with her husband, Joel. They have 3 daughters and 4 fabulous grandchildren.
In partnership with our Platinum Partner
Amy Lavallee moderates a panel discussion with guests, Sree Sripathy and “Parkinson’s Diva,” Maria De Leon. Topics discussed included: • Challenges in receiving a diagnosis • Lower rates of referral and uptake of specialty care • Hormones, fertility, and pregnancy • Care partners for women with Parkinson’s • Impact of societal expectations on women with Parkinson’s • Financial considerations
