Paraquat is a herbicide used world wide. The authors report on 25 cases of Paraquat poisoning in the state of Chiapas, Mexico that occurred between 1988 and 1990. 80% of the cases were men and 64% of these cases died. Attention to the law, redesign of paraquat packaging and educational efforts directed at populations at risk might be effective ways of reducing the occurrence of poisoning in this region. (13 refs.)