India and Bangladesh have introduced nationwide bans on paraquat, a highly toxic agricultural herbicide associated with pesticide-related suicides and serious neurological health concerns. The restrictions, implemented in September 2026, are intended to strengthen public health protections, reduce preventable deaths and limit exposure to hazardous chemicals among agricultural workers.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in a statement released on November 12, welcomed the decisions, highlighting the importance of restricting access to highly hazardous pesticides as part of national suicide prevention strategies. According to the agency, approximately one in five suicides worldwide involves the ingestion of acutely toxic pesticides, making pesticide regulation an important public health intervention, particularly in agricultural communities.
Paraquat has been widely used for weed control but poses severe health risks because of its acute toxicity. Exposure to the chemical has also been associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, raising concerns about the long-term neurological health of agricultural workers. Health experts have additionally warned about the potential developmental risks posed to children by exposure to hazardous agricultural chemicals.
With the new restrictions, India and Bangladesh join more than 70 countries that have prohibited paraquat. Evidence from countries including South Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka suggests that banning highly hazardous pesticides can significantly reduce pesticide-related suicides and overall suicide mortality without adversely affecting agricultural productivity or food security.
The WHO emphasized that limiting access to highly lethal pesticides can help prevent deaths during periods of acute emotional distress by reducing access to dangerous substances. The organization has identified restrictions on highly hazardous pesticides as among the most cost-effective suicide prevention measures, particularly in regions where agricultural chemicals are readily available.
The WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have supported governments in developing regulatory frameworks for identifying and phasing out dangerous pesticides. Their guidance encourages countries to adopt safer agricultural practices while maintaining crop yields and protecting farmers’ livelihoods.
The bans represent a significant step in efforts to improve agricultural safety and public health across South Asia. Health authorities hope the restrictions will reduce pesticide poisoning deaths, protect workers from hazardous exposure and encourage other countries to strengthen regulations governing toxic agricultural chemicals.
