A herbicide still used on U.S. crops like potatoes may harm the gut and trigger damage in the liver, kidneys, and lungs, according to a sweeping review of more than 100 studies.
Pamela Ferdinand reports for U.S. Right to Know.
In short:
- Diquat, banned in Europe but still legal in the U.S., was found to impair the intestinal lining, disrupt gut bacteria, and fuel inflammation that may affect distant organs.
- The chemical enters the body mainly through the digestive tract and acts by generating reactive oxygen species that weaken gut defenses and escalate toxicity systemwide.
- Researchers called for new human studies and better models to understand long-term, low-dose exposure and the full effects of this pesticide on health.
Key quote:
“Studies show that Diquat primarily enters the body through the digestive tract, leading to poisoning.”
— Frontiers in Pharmacology study researchers
Why this matters:
Diquat is one of several herbicides still widely used in the U.S. despite being banned in Europe because of its health and environmental risks. These chemicals linger in soil, leach into water, and can make their way into the food chain. That’s especially concerning when studies show diquat may directly damage the gut lining, disturb beneficial microbes, and set off a domino effect harming multiple organs. Children, farmworkers, and communities near treated fields may be especially vulnerable. Many of the studies to date rely on animal models, so the full scope of risk to people, especially with repeated low-level exposure, remains unclear. But the warning signs are there: A widely used chemical that disrupts gut integrity and may lead to systemic organ damage deserves close attention and deeper study.
Related: Bayer’s new Roundup products more toxic than prior formulations, report asserts
