This Pesticide May Be Too Dangerous to Use. Farmers Say They Need It.

California announces a big decision. It says it will stop using a chemical called paraquat. Paraquat is a pesticide. This means it is a chemical that kills unwanted plants or insects. Many farmers in the United States use paraquat on their farms. They say they need it to grow their crops well.

But there is a problem with paraquat. Scientists say it is very dangerous. They think it can make people sick with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a serious illness that affects the brain and body movement. Because of this health risk, California wants to stop its use.

However, farmers worry. They use paraquat to keep their fields clean from weeds. They say it is cheap and works very well. If they cannot use paraquat, they think it will be harder to grow food. They are looking for other ways to control weeds, but it is not easy to find good solutions.