Low-income California Latinos at higher risk from Parkinson’s-linked weedkiller

Analysis finds majority of paraquat, banned in 60 countries, is used in counties where Latinos make up 75% of the population or higher

Low-income Latinos living in California are disproportionately threatened by paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide widely used on US cropland, a new analysis of state data finds.

The notorious weedkiller is banned in more than 60 countries and for some uses in the US, like golf courses, because it is so dangerous. But the US government still allows its use on crops, putting agricultural workers or those living in communities near where it is spread at risk.