Mix-ups cause accidents with fatal outcomes.

Frequent accidents happen because paraquat is decanted into drinking bottles and swallowed by mistake. In developing countries, where the poison is often kept in the kitchen or in the bedroom, many of the victims are unknowing children.

Some people use paraquat to commit suicide.

Because there is no antidote, suicide attempts with paraquat usually work all too well. It is a painful, drawn-out death that may take days or even weeks. Scientists agree that ready access to a means of committing suicide raises the suicide rate. Some countries, following the recommendations of experts, have already banned paraquat for that very reason.