Andhra Pradesh bans toxic herbicide paraquat over suicides

Andhra Pradesh has imposed a 60-day ban on the sale, distribution, and use of paraquat dichloride after reports of rising suicides. The order follows a similar ban by Telangana in March. Doctors and researchers said paraquat poisoning has become a major public health emergency in rural areas because of its high fatality rate and the absence of a specific antidote.