Monsanto’s Roundup is one of the most widely-used herbicides in the world, and its use is prevalent in the United States. Billions of pounds of the chemical are applied to crops every year. Like any industrial chemical, Roundup can cause injury when used improperly. That said, Roundup can be dangerous even when used in accordance with product labeling. Farm workers are at the highest risk of injury caused by Roundup, but its prevalent use means anyone who consumes Roundup-resistant crops is at risk.
Due to the prevalent use of Roundup and Roundup-resistant crops, many weeds have developed resistance to glyphosate. This resistance leads farmers to use more of the chemical in an effort to ward off weeds. Increased use of glyphosate only increases the health risks associated with the herbicide.
The World Health Organization Labels Roundup a “probable carcinogen”
Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, has been linked to certain cancers in multiple studies. While Monsanto and the EPA claim that Roundup (glyphosate) is safe, the research suggests otherwise. In March, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer announced findings that Roundup is probably carcinogenic.
It is also worth noting that the Environmental Protection Agency warned of the dangers of glyphosate as early as the 1980s but later retracted its warning due to inconclusive evidence. After the WHO’s recent report, the EPA is reevaluating its approval of this dangerous herbicide.
Monsanto once held the patent for glyphosate, but it has since expired. Now, glyphosate is also found in herbicides produced by Dow Chemical and other companies. Because use of these chemicals is so widespread in food production, it is not only farm workers who need to worry about the potential risks. Roundup residue could even be found on produce at your local grocery store.
Other risks and injuries caused by Roundup
In addition to its probable link to cancers like Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Roundup has been linked to other health risks including:
● Reproductive damage
● Liver and kidney damage
● Cardiovascular and respiratory damage
● Nerve damage
● Endocrine disruption
● Birth defects and developmental problems
Furthermore, Roundup can be very harmful to the environment, despite Monsanto’s claims to the contrary. Roundup has been shown to harm earthworms and insects, birds and mammals, and vegetation. It also leaves persistent residues, which can be absorbed by plants (and consumed by animals and humans) for up to a year after application. Additionally, children who are exposed to dangerous herbicides are at a higher risk of disease later in life.
How Our Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you or a loved one have suffered from cancer caused by exposure to Monsanto Roundup or glyphosate, you should seek legal counsel from an injury attorney as soon as possible. In light of the WHO’s findings and the FDA’s decision to reexamine its stance on glyphosate, farmworkers and others who might have been harmed by the chemical should contact the mass tort lawyers at Andrus Wagstaff. Our injury lawyers can examine your case and help you understand your rights.
