WASHINGTON — Public health advocates and farmworkers called for a federal ban on a toxic herbicide they say led to their Parkinson’s disease during a Tuesday briefing for congressional staffers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will determine next year if the herbicide, paraquat dichloride, should have its license renewed for another 15 years. The herbicide is used for controlling weeds in agriculture settings. It’s currently banned in more than 70 countries and has several serious health conditions it’s linked to, such as cancer and increases the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Nora Jackson, a former farmworker of Indiana, said that her cousin, whose job it was to spray paraquat on farms, developed Parkinson’s at 55 years old. Signs of Parkinson’s usually appear around 60 years old.

“Farmworkers often have to do extremely risky jobs … but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Jackson said. “It is possible to have an agriculture system that does not depend so heavily on paraquat and it does not have to be a pesticide that puts so many people’s lives at risk.”

The disease has drastically affected his life, Jackson added.

“He now relies heavily on medication and uses a walking stick to be able to walk every day,” she said.

The briefing on the health risks of paraquat was hosted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, which is an alliance for farmworker women, and the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that produces research and advocates for public health.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was established by the actor who starred in blockbusters Back to the Future, Doc Hollywood and Teen Wolf. Fox was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s at the age of 29.

Ban necessary

The EPA has until Jan. 17 to make a decision on paraquat’s future availability.

Advocates at Tuesday’s event called for the agency to deny paraquat’s license renewal, saying other regulations to reduce exposure to the herbicide have come up short.

“Keep in mind that people have been using this chemical as directed, and are still developing Parkinson’s disease,” Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president of government affairs, said. “So putting more restrictions on how it’s used, when it’s used, what equipment you use, and so on, is not the answer.”

EPA slow to suspend toxic herbicide tied to lifelong health issues

Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system and causes unintended shakiness, trouble with balance and stiffness. There is no cure.

The California Legislature is moving to ban the herbicide. 

David Jilbert, of Valley City, Ohio, a former farmworker with a background in engineering, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021.

“As a longtime environmental engineer, I understood the importance of personal protection equipment, and I particularly followed all safety protocols,” he said.

He sold his vineyard in 2019 because he wasn’t feeling well and his hands were beginning to move slowly.

“My diagnosis changed everything, affecting every aspect of my life, from physical capabilities to emotional wellbeing, financial stability,” he said. “There is no cure for Parkinson’s. It is degenerative and it will only get worse, not better.”

Charlene Tenbrink of Winters, California, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020. She worked on her family farm from 1993 to 2000 where she would mix, load and spray paraquat.

Tenbrink said she felt let down by the federal government because she was unaware of the health risks that paraquat could pose.

“We’ve been trying to change this for a long time,” she said.

Southeast Technical College’s new Early Childhood Specialist associate degree program has been approved for full-ride Build Dakota Scholarships.

These scholarships cover all of the recipient’s tuition, fees, books and uniforms and are available for 30 of the college’s “most in-demand careers,” according to a press release from STC. In exchange, students must work in South Dakota for three years after graduating.

STC President Cory Clasemann said in the release that there’s a great demand nationwide and particularly in the Sioux Falls region for childcare providers.

More: South Dakotans bring new early childhood education ideas home from Hunt Institute Summit

Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken has said the lack of reliable, affordable daycare is the “No. 1 issue that is affecting our workforce crunch right now.” A past report by the Sioux Falls Child Care Collaborative found about 2,000 children of working parents do not have child-care spots available to them, and an estimated 4,000 parents in the city are not in the workforce but could be if they had day care available.

“We are hopeful that by having a scholarship option for our students, we can educate more individuals and help fill this workforce void,” Clasemann stated.

To qualify for a Build Dakota Scholarship in the Early Childhood program, students must have an industry sponsor. This school year, STC has awarded 164 Build Dakota Scholarships, all of which were sponsored by an industry partner.

STC Build Dakota coordinator Kelli Rogotzke said in the release that industry matching allows STC to stretch scholarship dollars and helps area employers fill workforce pipelines.

The scholarship window for the 2025-26 academic year will open Jan. 1 through March 31. Learn more at STC’s website.

Sioux Falls Christian moved up to first place in 11A in the latest South Dakota Prep Media football poll.

The Chargers are coming off an impressive 19-8 win over No. 3 Lennox while Canton defeated Vermillion 45-31.

The South Dakota Prep Media football poll for the week of Sept. 16 is listed below, ranking the top-five teams in each class, record, total points and previous ranking. First-place votes received are indicated in parentheses. 

Class 11AAA

1. Harrisburg (17) 3-0 112 1

2. Lincoln (7) 3-0 101 2

3. Brandon Valley 3-0 75 3

4. Jefferson 3-0 46 4

5. O’Gorman 0-3 16 5

Receiving votes: Roosevelt 7, Washington 3. 

Class 11AA

1. Watertown (22) 2-1 117 2

2. Pierre (1) 2-1 82 1

3. Spearfish (1) 3-0 73 3

4. Yankton 2-1 43 4

5. Brookings 3-0 31 5

Receiving votes: Tea Area 14.

Class 11A

1. SF Christian (16) 3-0 112 T-1

2. Canton (8) 3-0 100 T-1

3. Lennox 2-1 50 3

4. Dakota Valley 2-1 49 4

5. Dell Rapids 2-1 37 5

Receiving votes: Tri-Valley 12. 

Class 11B

1. Winner (23) 3-0 119 1

2. Sioux Valley (1) 3-0 87 3

3. Elk Point-Jefferson 2-1 74 2

4. Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central 3-0 52 4

5. Mount Vernon/Plankinton 3-1 28 5

Class 9AA

1. Parkston (20) 4-0 115 1

2. Hamlin (4) 4-0 100 2

3. Elkton-Lake Benton 4-0 71 3

4. Viborg-Hurley 3-1 40 5

5. Tripp-Delmont/Armour/Andes Central/Dakota Christian 4-0 22 RV

Receiving votes: Hill City 8, Kimball/White Lake 3, Hanson 1. 

Class 9A

1. Howard (21) 4-0 117 1

2. Wall (3) 4-0 92 2

3. Warner 4-0 73 3

4. Wolsey-Wessington 3-0 50 4

5. Harding County/Bison 3-1 27 5

Receiving votes: Alcester-Hudson 1. 

Class 9B

1. Avon (23) 4-0 119 1

2. Dell Rapids St. Mary (1) 4-0 88 3

3. Sully Buttes 3-0 64 4

4. Faulkton Area 2-1 60 2

5. Canistota 3-1 12 RV

Receiving votes: Corsica-Stickney 11, Kadoka Area 6.