Research varies regarding the answer to how long Roundup is safe, or how long Roundup remains in the soil following the application of this herbicide that contains glyphosate. The United States Department of Agriculture’s position remains that the glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, has a half-life of three to 249 days, meaning that Roundup may remain in the soil in an active state for up to a year or longer. Still, there is serious debate within the scientific community regarding how long it takes for Roundup to remain safe in the soil.
Debate Regarding how Long Roundup Is Safe
Roundup is still legal to use in the United States and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have consistently taken the stance that glyphosate and Roundup remain safe for pets, children, and planting other crops near the areas where crops originally received Roundup treatments. With more than six billion kilograms of this product used in the past ten years throughout the world, the debate continues between scientific communities. In fact, in 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup as a probable carcinogen. With so many different opinions from so many different worldwide organizations regarding the safety of Roundup and glyphosate, it still remains uncertain regarding how long Roundup is safe.
Why Safety of Roundup Matters
It is important to determine how long until Roundup is safe in the ground as so many different farmers and those in the agricultural communities consistently use this herbicide to treat and eradicate weeds.
Unfortunately, much of the research regarding Roundup points to the fact that Roundup contains toxic materials that negatively impact the health of users consistently exposed to this chemical.
According to Scientific Reports, glyphosate remains dangerous to the human body and may result in an increased risk of the development of serious health issues. Some of these issues include Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Bone cancer, Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma), Skin tumors, Pancreatic islet cell tumors, Multiple myeloma, B-cell lymphoma, DNA damage, other types of cancer, and Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease and/or Alzheimer’s disease).
No Definitive Answers
At issue is whether the Roundup that spills near and around the soil of weeds continues to remain hazardous, or if Roundup is safe after a certain period of time. Any chemical takes time to break down and decompose, and that timeline is often dependent upon how much of the chemical goes into the soil, and the weather conditions such as humidity and rainfall. In one study, Cornell University determined that Roundup remains in the soil anywhere from one to 174 days. Other research seems to indicate that Roundup becomes completely harmless in a much shorter period of time.
In yet other studies examining the possibility of Roundup and soil-contamination as a hazard to humans over time, Plants (Basel) concludes that glyphosate remains in the soil for extended periods of time, possibly causing serious dangers and damage to those that interact with it.
Roundup and Safety
With so much conflicting research by prominent organizations, the safest course of action is to avoid any prolonged or extensive use of Roundup or any glyphosate-containing products, as these appear to have links to serious medical conditions that often result in death. Some victims claim that Roundup is not safe and was the direct cause of their health conditions, leading to lawsuits throughout the country.
If you believe that you suffered any kind of injury related to the use of Roundup or any other glyphosate-containing herbicide, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Consider a Roundup and Glyphosate Cancer Lawyer
If you developed a serious medical condition as a result of your exposure to Roundup or any other chemical that contained glyphosate, consider Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Call us at (800) 794-0444.
We can help you understand how a Roundup or glyphosate cancer lawyer can explain your legal rights and help you determine your next steps. Some states have statutes of limitations that apply to personal injury lawsuits, so call us as soon as you believe you have a case. The sooner you call, the sooner we may be able to begin working on your case.