WHO lauds India’s ban on paraquat

• In September, India and Bangladesh declared national bans on paraquat, regarded as one of the most dangerous agricultural chemicals due to its severe toxicity and links with suicide, Parkinson disease, and risk to farmer occupational safety. 

• With this historic public health decision, India and Bangladesh joined over 70 countries that have prohibited paraquat.

• The move sets an important precedent for the rest of the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted.

• Paraquat dichloride (commonly known as paraquat), is a highly toxic liquid herbicide (plant or weed killer) used for weed and grass control.

Importance of phasing out of highly hazardous pesticides 

• Globally it is estimated one in five suicides are attributable to the ingestion of acutely toxic pesticides. 

• Many of these deaths are easily preventable and occur in rural communities across Africa, Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. 

• Long-term exposure to toxic pesticides has also been linked to brain health and neurological risks among agricultural workers, and neurodevelopmental disorders among children. 

• Based on international evidence, national regulatory action on paraquat in Bangladesh and India is anticipated to save thousands of lives and protect brain health. 

• These momentous actions build on years of tireless work across government, civil society, academia, community, and the health sector, including the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be impulsive and often occur during moments of acute distress. 

• In these critical moments, easy access to a highly lethal means like paraquat can make the difference between life and death. 

• Restricting access to lethal means of suicide is highly effective because it allows crucial time for suicidal thoughts to pass and the opportunity to intervene, preventing numerous potentially fatal actions. 

• Evidence from a number of countries including South Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka demonstrate that national bans on paraquat and other acutely toxic pesticides have resulted in substantial reductions in pesticide-related suicides and overall suicide rates, without harming agricultural productivity.

• Over the last decade, the phasing out of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) from agriculture has gained increasing momentum in several international fora. 

• HHPs refer to a small number of pesticides that cause disproportionate harm to human health and the environment. 

• In 2023, a resolution on chemicals was adopted which included to address HHPs at the 76th World Health Assembly, and in 2026, official and external side events at the 79th World Health Assembly were held highlighting the need to take action on acutely toxic HHPs for suicide prevention. 

• In November 2026, the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals will take place to advance key global targets on chemicals including the phasing out of HHPs from agriculture. 

The regulatory actions taken by India and Bangladesh represent a significant step towards this target. 

• Removing acutely toxic pesticides from circulation protects agricultural workers, children, and individuals in distress, advancing brain health and preventing suicide.