Banned in Europe, Still Used in U.S.: Diquat Herbicide Linked to Gut Damage and Organ Toxicity
A widely used herbicide banned in the European Union but still permitted in the U.S. has been found to severely damage the intestines and trigger harmful chain reactions in vital organs, according to a new scientific review. The study, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in May, analyzed over 100 studies on diquat, revealing its ability to weaken the gut barrier, kill beneficial bacteria, and fuel chronic inflammation—effects that may spread to the liver, kidneys, and lungs. As scrutiny grows over pesticide safety, researchers warn that diquat’s risks may be more systemic than previously understood, raising urgent questions about regulatory oversight and the need for safer alternatives.
Diquat, a herbicide chemically related to the notorious paraquat, has long been studied for its effects on the liver and kidneys. However, the new review highlights the intestines as a primary target. The chemical disrupts nutrient absorption by damaging intestinal villi—tiny projections critical for digestion—while generating reactive oxygen molecules that erode the gut’s protective lining. This breakdown allows toxins to leak into the bloodstream, potentially triggering inflammation in distant organs.
“The core mechanism of its toxicity involves reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress,” the researchers wrote, noting that this process not only harms the gut barrier but also imbalances the microbiome, reducing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus while promoting harmful microbes. Such disruptions may contribute to broader organ dysfunction, though human studies are still lacking.
Diquat shares structural and functional similarities with paraquat, a herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease and banned in over 70 countries. While diquat is considered less acutely toxic, its persistence in soil and water—lasting up to 10 days—raises environmental concerns. The EU, Switzerland, and the U.K. have prohibited its use, but the U.S. continues to allow applications on crops like potatoes, cotton, and sugarcane, as well as for drying animal feed.
The review coincides with mounting legal and scientific challenges to pesticide safety. Manufacturers face lawsuits over health impacts, while critics accuse the industry of downplaying risks. In Brazil, where paraquat was banned in 2020, diquat use has surged, particularly among small-scale farmers who often lack protective gear.
From Gut to Organs: A Dangerous Cascade
The study suggests diquat’s gut damage may initiate a “gut-organ axis” effect, spreading harm to other systems:
- Kidneys: Acute injury from cell membrane damage and scarring.
- Liver: Mitochondrial disruption leading to cell death and inflammation.
- Lungs: Oxidative stress damaging respiratory tissue.
Researchers speculate these effects could contribute to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a life-threatening condition, though further study is needed.
Calls for Action and Alternatives
The authors urge more human epidemiological studies, improved detoxification strategies, and better models to assess long-term, low-dose exposure. “In-depth investigation of its toxicological mechanisms remains essential,” they wrote, emphasizing the need for solutions in contaminated areas and clinical management of poisoning cases.
As evidence mounts, advocates argue for stricter regulations and a shift toward natural pest control methods. For now, diquat’s continued use in the U.S. underscores a stark divide in global pesticide policy—and a growing urgency to reassess its risks.
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