Spotlight|May 25, 2026

Vermont lawmakers have passed the nation’s first bill to phase out paraquat, a toxic herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease and other serious health risks. The bill now just awaits Governor Phil Scott’s (R) signature. Though a number of states have introduced similar legislation in recent years, Vermont is the first to successfully pass an all-out ban on paraquat through its legislature, marking a major public-health milestone that could help boost momentum for similar bills across the country going forward.

Studies consistently show associations between exposure to certain pesticides and elevated risks of long-term health effects in farmers, rural communities, children, and more. Against this backdrop, End Chronic Disease CEO Kelly McKenna joined “The News Blitz with Randy Wang” on 790 KABC Radio to discuss growing evidence linking pesticide and other chemical exposures to elevated chronic-disease risk, especially Parkinson’s disease.

During the conversation, Kelly highlighted that Parkinson’s disease is now considered the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder, and noted recent research, including findings published in The Lancet, identifying environmental contributors such as paraquat exposure as important areas of concern.

Kelly also emphasized the need for greater education and awareness around safer alternatives for farmers, noting that more than 70 countries have successfully banned the use of paraquat, including countries like China and the UK where paraquat is produced, without compromising on crop yields or agricultural productivity. Reducing exposure, after all, is considered a key preventive public-health strategy.

Governor Scott later signed the bill, and Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat. Read what came next in our July update, follow our work on environmental exposures, or sign up for our newsletter.