Research Uncovers New Dangers from Exposure to Roundup Herbicide
Birth Defects, Pesticides
For consumers and industrial-scale agriculture operations alike, herbicides like Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller have become one of the most cost-effective and convenient ways to control weeds and protect crops and gardens.
But an increasing body of research has linked glyphosate — the primary ingredient in Roundup — to a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as a host of serious medical conditions.
A recent study published in the October 2023 edition of Environmental Health Perspectives found measurable levels of glyphosate in teens living near agriculture operations. According to the study, the buildup of glyphosate in the bodies of adolescents was linked to lower performance on cognitive tests. Related research on rats showed similar results, with high levels of residual herbicide linked to lower object recognition and exploration behavior among the rodents. Glyphosate has also been linked to autism spectrum disorder and obesity in children and young adults.
Worldwide increase in herbicide use
The use of Roundup in industrial agriculture has exploded with the development of food crops genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, which allows agriculture operations to apply the chemicals in large amounts without affecting crop production. As a result, glyphosate has become the most heavily applied herbicide in history, both in the U.S. and globally. In fact, the use of glyphosate is so pervasive that it can even found in food products grown on farms that have never used Roundup.
In 2021, more than 1,700 metric tons of herbicides were used in both commercial and home uses around the world. Brazil is the largest consumer of agricultural chemicals, with the United States ranked second.
Documented health concerns related to glyphosate
A growing body of research has documented health concerns related to glyphosate, including:
- In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a unit of the World Health Organization, declared that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic” to humans.
- A 2022 study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found high levels of glyphosate in the urine of farmers and other study participants. Researchers linked the chemicals with a reaction in the body called oxidative stress, which causes damage to DNA and is considered a key characteristic of carcinogens.
- The CDC reported in 2022 that more than 80 percent of urine samples from both children and adults contained traces of glyphosate.
- Glyphosate is only one of the dangers found in Monsanto’s Roundup. Other toxic chemicals found in Roundup include formaldehyde and Polyoxyethylene tallow amine (POEA).
Cancer victims demand answers
As the research community uncovers more and more links between glyphosate exposure and cancer and other medical conditions, Bayer and its Monsanto subsidiary are under increasing scrutiny. Tens of thousands of lawsuits filed by cancer victims claim that the Monsanto executives have long known about the dangers of glyphosate but have failed to warn the public.
How We Help Victims of Herbicide and Pesticide Exposure
The attorneys of our birth defects victims’ alliance understand the pain that families face when coping with life-altering birth defects—and the frustration of knowing they could have been prevented. Our team has over 40 years of combined experience in birth defects litigation in cases involving semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, pesticides, and energy production. We have the resources and experience to fight on behalf of our clients against corporations who put them in danger. Contact us to see how we can help you and your family receive justice for birth defects.