Most federal employees work at government agencies that facilitate various interests which influence the American experience. Among these agencies are several that help to ensure that the raw materials, agricultural products, and goods that are sold to businesses and individuals are safe. Without the efforts of various safety-related agencies, the rates of non-fatal and fatal injuries resulting from defective products would skyrocket.

With that said, far too many defective and dangerous products do slip through the cracks of the system and ultimately need to be recalled in the interests of public safety. When auto parts are recalled, consumers receive a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When it is food or medication that has become hazardous, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes an announcement. For virtually all other products, it is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that sounds the alarm.

How the CPSC Can Help You to Stay Safer

The mission of the CPSC centers on minimizing the likelihood that those in the U.S. will suffer injury or death as a result of consumer product defects and dangers. In service of this goal, the agency crafts and enforces safety standards, engages in a variety of safety education efforts, and oversees recalls of unsafe products. The agency regularly works with companies concerning voluntary recalls and issues mandatory recalls under particularly urgent circumstances.

For most Americans, driving is a part of everyday life, and people accept certain types of risks when they are behind the wheel or riding in a vehicle. While the risks of injury in a car accident are present whenever a vehicle is on the road, drivers and passengers expect vehicles to protect them from harm as much as possible. However, many cars and trucks contain defective parts that may affect the safety of drivers and passengers. Those who are injured by auto parts that were designed, manufactured, or installed incorrectly can work with a personal injury attorney to determine who was responsible and pursue compensation for their damages.

Common Auto Part Defects

Vehicles contain multiple types of complex parts, and the failure of any one of these systems can cause serious injuries to the vehicle’s occupants. Some auto parts that commonly fail and cause accidents or injuries include:

• Airbags - These safety systems are meant to deploy in the event of a collision, providing cushioning to help prevent traumatic brain injuries for drivers and passengers. If airbags do not deploy correctly, they may not provide a vehicle’s occupants with the proper protection. Some defective airbags may deploy at the wrong time, or they may explode and cause harm to people in a vehicle.

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Americans expect to be protected from products that could be harmful to their health. Unfortunately, there are many ways that people can become exposed to toxic chemicals and other dangerous substances. In many cases, exposure to these types of chemicals occurs because of the pesticides and herbicides used on crops. Recently, issues related to chlorpyrifos, a commonly-used pesticide, were brought to light when the federal government took steps to ban the use of this chemical on crops used for food. Those who may have been exposed to this dangerous product will want to understand its potential effects and their options for addressing the injuries they have suffered.

Dangers of Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide that has been in use since 1965. It has been used on multiple different types of crops, including apples, strawberries, citrus fruits, peaches, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, and soybeans. Until 2000, it was also used as a household pesticide to kill insects such as cockroaches, ants, or mosquitos.

Health advocates have been fighting against the use of chlorpyrifos for decades, and in August of 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling banning the use of this pesticide on all crops used as food. The EPA stated that it was implementing this ban in order to protect the safety of children, farmworkers, and others who may be exposed to the product. The chemical had previously been banned or restricted in multiple states, including California, Oregon, New York, Maryland, and Hawaii, as well as in Canada and the European Union. 

While most companies conduct thorough testing before releasing their products to the public, certain defective products slip through the cracks. Roundup, for instance, is found to increase the risk of some cancers by 40 percent. If you have contracted cancer after using this popular weed killer, you may have the right to take legal action.

Why Is Roundup a Dangerous Product?

Roundup contains the ingredient glyphosate, which disrupts enzymic pathways in plants. The product may be effective at killing weeds, but it may harm humans in the process. 

Of the different types of dangerous products that can cause harm to people in the United States, herbicides are among the most toxic. Weedkillers are commonly used on farms throughout the U.S., and they often contain dangerous chemicals that can cause multiple health problems for those exposed to these substances. Paraquat, a chemical that is included in some widely-used herbicides, has been found to cause multiple health issues. Those who have suffered injuries after being exposed to these herbicides may be able to pursue compensation from a manufacturer by working with an experienced attorney.

Illnesses Caused by Paraquat Exposure

Herbicides that contain paraquat have been used since the 1960s. Even though this substance is highly toxic, the use of these herbicides has increased in recent years in response to weeds that have become resistant to other herbicides, such as Roundup. Paraquat is a “restricted use” chemical, and before using it, a person must receive training and obtain certification. Anyone who works with this chemical should use the proper protective equipment, including chemical-resistant gloves and aprons, safety goggles or face shields, and respiratory protection.

Exposure to paraquat can occur in multiple ways, including: