From Dream Ranch to Health Nightmare
In 2004, John Platt and his wife purchased 26 acres of pristine woodlands in Florida’s panhandle, envisioning a peaceful horse ranch where they could build their future. Armed with determination and paraquat, a powerful herbicide, they began transforming the untamed land into their dream property. For eight years, Platt personally sprayed the chemical to control undergrowth, unaware that each application was potentially damaging his nervous system. Today, as he battles debilitating Parkinson’s disease symptoms, Platt’s story serves as a haunting reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in commonly used agricultural chemicals.
5 Key Points
- John Platt extensively used paraquat from 2004 to 2012 while developing his Florida horse ranch.
- His weight has dropped from 190 to under 150 pounds while battling Parkinson’s disease.
- Syngenta, paraquat’s manufacturer, faces approximately 6,000 similar lawsuits.
- Internal documents reveal Syngenta knew of potential brain damage risks since the 1950s.
- Paraquat remains widely used in US agriculture despite being banned in over 60 countries.
From Professor to Patient: One Man’s Battle with Parkinson’s
The transformation in Platt’s health has been dramatic and devastating. Once a robust 190-pound outdoor enthusiast and respected professor at the University of West Florida, he now struggles with daily tasks as his weight has plummeted below 150 pounds. His symptoms are relentless: constant tremors shake his body, severe fatigue limits his activities, and the cognitive fog makes even simple conversations challenging. “We wouldn’t have continued to use it if we had known what impact it was going to have,” Platt reflects, his voice carrying the weight of hindsight.
A Legacy of Deception: Syngenta’s Internal Documents
Court records paint a troubling picture of corporate knowledge and deliberate silence. As early as 1958, before paraquat’s commercial release, scientists at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), Syngenta’s predecessor, documented the chemical’s effects on the central nervous system. Throughout the following decades, internal studies continued to raise red flags. A particularly damning 1975 communication from a company toxicologist revealed their strategy: “Due possibly to good publicity on our part, very few people here believe that paraquat causes any sort of problem.”
The Science Behind the Suffering
Research has increasingly linked paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease, particularly through its similarity to MPTP, a chemical known to cause immediate Parkinson’s symptoms. Studies by Syngenta’s scientist, Louise Marks, confirmed that paraquat causes measurable loss of brain cells in the substantia nigra – the exact region affected in Parkinson’s disease. According to Professor Shawn Hayley of Carleton University, paraquat can destroy up to a third of these crucial brain cells.
Corporate Cover-up: Suppressing Research and Silencing Critics
When evidence mounted against paraquat’s safety, Syngenta’s response was not to investigate further but to manage public perception. The company developed a “scientific influencing strategy” to counter negative research and even attempted to block critical scientist Deborah Cory-Slechta from joining an EPA advisory panel. Internal documents reveal the company avoided measuring paraquat levels in the brain, acknowledging that any findings “no matter how small” would not be “perceived externally in a positive light.”
Global Bans vs. American Agriculture
While countries worldwide have recognized paraquat’s dangers and banned its use – including the UK, European Union, China, Brazil, and most recently, Canada – the United States continues to permit its application. The EPA’s 2021 re-approval of paraquat sparked controversy and legal challenges, leading to an ongoing review process. Meanwhile, the herbicide remains one of the most widely used in American agriculture, particularly on corn, soybeans, and cotton crops.
Life After Exposure: The Personal Cost
Today, Platt and his wife still live on their ranch, though maintaining it has become increasingly difficult. His early retirement from teaching was forced by progressing symptoms, and plans to move to a more accessible home fell through. “I understand that I am one of the luckier ones,” Platt says, acknowledging his educational background allowed him alternative career options. His focus now turns to advocacy, pushing for better support for farmworkers and removing paraquat from the market. “There’s a lot of anger, in the way I feel,” he adds. “I think that it’s sad that we have a country that has so much, and takes so much away.”
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