By Jamie Martin
Questions surrounding herbicide safety are back in the spotlight following a lawsuit filed against Syngenta over atrazine exposure claims.
The lawsuit was filed by plaintiffs' law firm Wisner Baum on behalf of California resident Apostolos Panayiotou. The complaint alleges that long-term exposure to atrazine-based herbicides contributed to the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma after decades of handling the products.
According to court filings, Panayiotou spent nearly three decades working with atrazine products in Los Angeles County. His work reportedly included mixing, loading, spraying, and applying herbicides used in agricultural settings.
The lawsuit alleges that Syngenta failed to provide adequate warnings about potential health risks through communications beyond federally approved pesticide labels. These communications allegedly included promotional materials, training programs, technical guidance, and sales information.
Atrazine is among the most commonly used herbicides in North American agriculture. It is used primarily for controlling annual grasses and broadleaf weeds and plays an important role in crops such as corn, sorghum, sweet corn, and sugarcane.
The legal filing comes after the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified atrazine as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2025. The agency cited evidence from scientific studies, animal research, and data indicating a positive association between atrazine exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The complaint argues that workers handling atrazine products may face exposure through skin contact, inhalation, and accidental ingestion during normal use. It also claims that formulated herbicide products contain additional ingredients that may increase exposure compared with the active ingredient alone.
"Mr. Panayiotou handled these products year after year, exactly as they were intended to be used, and he developed cancer. Syngenta knew or should have known about the risks applicators faced, and it failed to warn them," said Pedram Esfandiary, a partner at Wisner Baum and one of the attorneys representing Panayiotou.
Panayiotou alleges that his illness caused significant personal and financial challenges, including medical expenses, emotional stress, pain, and lost earnings. The lawsuit seeks compensation for those losses as well as punitive damages.
Beyond individual health claims, the case raises broader questions about product safety communication in agriculture. The filing alleges that Syngenta knew or should have known about research connecting atrazine exposure to certain health concerns but failed to adequately communicate those risks.
The lawsuit includes three primary legal claims: design defect, failure to warn, and negligence. The complaint contends that alternative product designs, ingredients, packaging approaches, or application methods may have reduced potential exposure risks.
"People deserve to know whether the products they use to do their jobs could put their health at risk," said Timothy A. Loranger, a senior partner at Wisner Baum who is also representing Panayiotou. "Syngenta had information these workers needed to protect themselves, and it failed to share it. Mr. Panayiotou and others deserved better."
The filing also contains allegations related to scientific research and public discussions regarding atrazine. Those claims, like the broader lawsuit, will be evaluated during the legal process.
As the lawsuit progresses, agricultural stakeholders will be watching developments closely. The outcome could influence future conversations about pesticide safety, product stewardship, and the responsibilities of manufacturers and users within the crop protection sector.
Photo Credit: Pexels - Mikhail Nilov
Categories: National