Why Would the EPA Do This?

I received an email this week from Dr. Ray Dorsey and his Parkinson Warriors in his fight to end Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Dorsey, along with Dr. Todd Sherer, Dr. Michael Okun, and Dr. Bas Bloem, all co-wrote the book, "Ending Parkinson's Disease." In this book, the authors spend an entire chapter on the use of Paraquat, a pesticide that is very dangerous to use and has a direct link to Parkinson's Disease in humans.

In his email, Dr. Dorsey stated that this past week, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has just re-approved the usage of Paraquat in the United States. "Every 15 years, the EPA reviews all herbicides and pesticides to confirm they are safe for use. This review process takes several years and has many steps. The latest round of pesticide review and reapprovals, known as interim decisions, finalizes the EPA’s assessments of human and environmental impact and allows the pesticide to be bought and used until it is reviewed again." states the Michael J. Fox Foundation website.

This is what we know about Paraquat (from Dr. Dorsey's page).

1. Paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson's Disease by 150%
2. 32 countries, including the European Union, Brazil and China have banned it.
3. Paraquat is so toxic that the EPA's own website says that "one sip can kill."
4. 1.1 million American's have Parkinson's and 200 more will be diagnosed today.
5. Paraquat is being used here in Iowa and particularly in the midwest. Check out the Pesticide Use Map from 2017 here.

My questions are simple ones: Why do you suppose the EPA allowed this to happen? Aren't they suppose to protect the environment, as well as the people who live in this country? Is the farming lobby so strong that the EPA succombs to the pressure? There are approximately 60,000 Iowans living with Parkinson's. There are only a handful of Neurologist who are movement disorder specialist. We need our government to protect its people.

As Dr. Dorsey mentions in his book, we, as Americans, have fought the government to overcome sickness and health issues in the past, fighting for and winning the battle against HIV and Polio. We have also fought and are nearly winning the battle against breast cancer as well. We have to make Parkinson's important to the average American, like Polio did decades ago and as we are currently doing with breast cancer. 

I highly endorsed this book "Ending Parkinson's Disease" for anyone who is interested and is living with the disease, caring for a loved one who suffers from it or just interested in the relationship between the government and how it interacts with the people. In fact, if you'd like a copy of this book, simply email info@endingpd.org and ask for a free copy.

Press On!