Many researchers and scientists concluded that Roundup, containing glyphosate, a possible carcinogen, is unsafe for long term use, as it raises the risk of the development of certain kinds of cancers, serious medical conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Evidence Indicating Roundup Is Not Safe To Use
Farmers and agricultural entities have used Roundup since 1974, and it grew to be the most popular herbicide on the market for its effectiveness. In the last decade, over 6 billion kilograms of this product eliminated unwanted weeds and vegetation throughout the world. Research from 2001 forward continued to mount until finally, in 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) publicly listed the main ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, as a probable carcinogen, which is a cancer-causing agent.
Roundup and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
As far back as 2001, researchers reported in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention – that there were direct correlations between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, making Roundup unsafe to use. In 2003, a study of farm workers and those working in agricultural areas in the United States appeared in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and showed a substantial increase in those workers that had consistent exposure to Roundup and developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2008, a study published in the International Journal of Cancer established that those persons who had glyphosate exposure actually doubled their risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma within 10 years.
Roundup and Other Health Issues
As research continues to evolve in this area, many researchers show that users of glyphosate not only have a greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but that this chemical can actually alter the DNA of a person’s body, as reported in a research study in the Archives of Toxicology. Additionally, the other chemicals that Roundup contains (other than glyphosate) have also proved to have dangerous properties and may cause health issues such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or other neurodegenerative diseases.
Monsanto (the original developer of Roundup which was recently bought out by Bayer) was never required by law to publicly list all of the chemicals and ingredients. Recent research even shows that exposure to these chemicals and glyphosate affects the reproductive system negatively and may even cause birth defects. In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers actually proved that glyphosate disrupts a person’s DNA structure leading to several different health risks. Some of the health issues associated with Roundup include the following:
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic islet cell tumors
- Multiple myeloma
- Bone cancer
- Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma)
- B-cell lymphoma
- Skin tumors
- Other types of cancer
- DNA damage
- Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease and/or Alzheimer’s disease)
Debates in the Scientific Community
While the IARC issued a strong position with respect to the health dangers of Roundup, other organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have taken a completely opposite position. These entities argue that there is no direct link between glyphosate and certain serious health conditions, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Even as recently as February 2020, the EPA has reaffirmed their position that the weed killer used in Roundup is completely safe and that it has “no risks of concern” for those exposed to it over any length of time.
The substantial divide in the scientific community led researchers to publish a study in the Environmental Sciences Europe closely examining why certain agencies directly oppose the serious links between glyphosate and severe illnesses by the IARC and the other agencies that disagree. These researchers discovered that the EPA based their decisions regarding the safety of this chemical on “unpublished regulatory studies” which were in large part funded by Monsanto and other companies that had a direct interest in the outcome of the research.
IARC took a different scientific approach, and their studies (and conclusion) relied on peer-reviewed studies that were neutral in nature and not funded by companies with a vested interest in the conclusions.
Consider a Roundup Lawyer
Roundup lawsuits have successfully compensated victims for their health issues and serious medical conditions that relate to their exposure to Roundup and the chemical glyphosate. These courts have determined that Roundup is not safe to use and raises a person’s risk of developing serious medical conditions. If you developed a serious medical condition as a result of your exposure to Roundup or any other compound that contained glyphosate, consider visiting with our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. We can help you understand how a Roundup lawyer can explain your legal rights and help you determine your next steps.