· Paraquat is not known to have been used in any terrorist attacks or wars.
· The most likely route of exposure to paraquat that would lead to poisoning is ingestion
(swallowing).
· Paraquat can be easily mixed with food, water, or other beverages. If the form of paraquat that is
used is the form that does not contain the safeguard additives (dye, odor, and vomiting agent),
people might not know that the food, water, or other beverages are contaminated. Eating or
drinking paraquatcontaminated
food or beverages could poison people.
· Paraquat poisoning is also possible after skin exposure. Poisoning is more likely to occur if the skin
exposure lasts for a long time, involves a concentrated version of paraquat, or occurs through skin
that is not intact (skin that has sores, cuts, or a severe rash).
· If it is inhaled, paraquat could cause poisoning leading to lung damage. In the past, some
marijuana in the United States has been found to contain paraquat.
· Licensed applicators of paraquat are the people most at risk for exposure.