Paraquat: A Toxic Herbicide

Key Points

• 1A woman was sentenced to death for poisoning her boyfriend with paraquat.
• 2Paraquat, also known as methyl viologen, is a widely used herbicide.
• 3WHO classifies paraquat as a Category 2 chemical.
• 4Its sale is banned in over 70 countries.
• 5Exposure can occur through ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation.
• 6There are no known antidotes for paraquat poisoning.
• 7In India, its use is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC).
• 8A 2021 notification restricts paraquat's use to specific crops and waterways.