By Lizabeth Stahl, Natalie Hoidal, and Kerry Richards The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced certified applicators must successfully complete an EPA-approved training program before mixing, loading, and/or applying paraquat dichloride, an herbicide commonly referred to as paraquat. Paraquat is a restricted use pesticide sold under brand names such as Blanco, Bonfire Herbicide, Devour, Firestorm, Gramaxone, Helmquat, Para-SHOT, Paraquat, Parazone, and Quik-Quat. Why is additional training being required to use paraquat? Paraquat is highly toxic to humans: Just one small sip can be fatal and there is no antidote. Additionally, several deaths and many severe injuries have been caused by paraquat getting onto the skin or into the eyes of those working with the product. From an EPA Press release (dated March 8, 2019): Since 2000, 17 deaths have been caused by accidental ingestion of paraquat. Many of these deaths resulted from people illegally transferring