Roundup General Information
A new review of the relationship between herbicide exposure and the risk of blood cancers in the lymph glands (lymphomas) has confirmed the existence of a link with glyphosate, the world’s most popular herbicide which is the active ingredient in Round Up, manufactured by the Monsanto Company.
This study, which was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, was based on almost 30 years worth of epidemiological research and cited the “striking increase” observed in the incidence of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) in the last 30 years, as Round Up emerged as the most popular herbicide in the U.S.
There is consistent evidence that exposure to glyphosate in certain settings are important determinants of NHL, and data continues to accumulate showing that glyphosate, such as is found in Round Up, is carcinogenic, perhaps even in infinitesimal concentrations (parts per trillion range).
Glyphosate is now widely detected in the food supplies of many countries and is traceable in animal tissues, human urine and breast milk, as well as in a wide variety of marketed food products.
In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), published its assessment of the carcinogenicity of a number of organophosphate pesticides, including glyphosate and declared that glyphosate is now considered to be “a probable human carcinogen.” The IARC is considered the global gold standard for carcinogenicity studies, so its determination is of considerable importance.
Although Monsanto is lobbying for a retraction of the IARC’s report, the EPA is taking a closer look and reconsidering its previous position on the safety of glyphosate for U.S. consumers, since glyphosate cannot be washed off once sprayed on a crop.
The “relative safety” of glyphosate herbicides was promoted by both Monsanto and the EPA since 1981, but on the basis of accumulated data over many years, doctors have called for an immediate ban on glyphosate herbicides in Argentina.
Health Canada recently announced it will update Round Up’s label directions to reduce human and environmental exposure and the EPA recently announced it may start testing for glyphosate residues on food. While thousands of foods are tested for approximately 400 different pesticides each year, glyphosate has not been included on that list because up until March 2015, Monsanto with the support of governmental agencies maintained that Round Up and its active ingredient, glyphosate, were safe and did not present any hazard to U.S. consumers.
Finally, the active ingredient in Round Up, glyphosate, is patented as an antibiotic, but is not regulated by the FDA. Based on the current high allowable limits for glyphosate residue on food products and GE grains, issues continue to arise with “super bugs” in both human and animal populations, which pathogens including E. coli and salmonella remain resistant to antibiotics. It is estimated that antibiotic resistance claims approximately 23,000 lives each year in the U.S. alone.
Roundup Side Effects
Round Up (active ingredient glyphosate) is the world’s most popular broad spectrum herbicide. U.S. consumers use nearly one billion pounds of glyphosate in field and lawn applications each year.
Round Up is manufactured by the Monsanto Company, a Fortune 500 headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri; also a leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural seed.
Exposure to the glyphosate in Round Up may occur from normal use in rural and agricultural communities due to airborne drift, runoff into potential drinking water sources, and residues in food crops.
A growing body of research links the active ingredient in Round Up, glyphosate, to the development of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. One review recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health was based on substantial epidemiological research regarding the relationship between the increase in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) observed over the last 30 years and occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides including Round Up.
At McDivitt Law Firm, we feel that you deserve information that may be relevant to your rights as a consumer. We want to alert you to potential injuries associated with exposure to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round Up.
If you or someone you know has had exposure to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round Up and has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition including Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, please contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation as you may be entitled to compensation.
History of Roundup
Round Up® is the world’s most popular herbicide, used primarily for the control of weeds and grasses. U.S. consumers use nearly a billion pounds of glyphosate in field and lawn applications each year.
Round Up’s main active ingredient is glyphosate, a chemical first synthesized in 1950 by a Swiss chemist. In 1970, glyphosate was independently re-discovered by Monsanto Company chemist John E. Franz and was introduced to the public under the trade name Round Up in 1973.
Monsanto Company is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and in addition to manufacturing Round Up, is a leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural seed. Monsanto employs approximately 21,183 people worldwide in 404 facilities located in 66 countries, of which 10,277 employees are located in 146 facilities in 33 states in the U.S. alone.
It should be noted that a considerable number of former Monsanto employees have held or currently hold high ranking positions at governmental agencies responsible for the oversight of the safety of its products including Round Up but just as alarming, a considerable number of former governmental agency employees have held or currently hold high ranking positions at the Monsanto Company.
Glyphosate works by interfering with the synthesis of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, and since 1981, was deemed relatively safe for the consuming public by Monsanto, the EPA, FDA, and USDA; the last review of glyphosate’s safety was conducted by the EPA in 1993. At that time, the EPA considered glyphosate to be non-carcinogenic. It is now believed that both Monsanto and the EPA knew of the link between glyphosate and cancer as long ago as 1980.
In July 2013, the EPA, in the absence of any further study, raised the allowable limits for glyphosate in food, specifically oilseed crops from 20 ppm to 40 ppm; root and tuber vegetables were granted one of the largest boosts, with allowable residue limits raised from 0.20 ppm to 6.00 ppm.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), is considered the gold standard in carcinogenicity studies and has adopted the following classification system:
Group 1: Definitely carcinogenic to humans
Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans
Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
Group 4: Probably not carcinogenic to humans
In March 2015, the IARC published their assessment of the carcinogenicity of a number of organophosphate pesticides including glyphosate, and declared that glyphosate is now considered to be a class 2A “probable human carcinogen”. In addition, the IARC stated that genotoxic effects in other mammals were “sufficiently demonstrated” as well in their review of available studies.
Following the release of information published by the IARC, Health Canada has now announced it will update Round Up’s label directions to reduce human and environmental exposure, and the EPA recently announced that regulators may start testing for glyphosate residues on food in the near future.
Recently the Argentinian Federation of Health Professionals (representing 30,000 members) stated: “Glyphosate not only causes cancer. It is also associated with increased spontaneous abortions, birth defects, skin diseases, and respiratory and neurological disease.” In addition, glyphosate is now considered a carcinogen by Denmark’s Working Environment Authority (WEA).
Recent Settlements
California couple receives $2 Billion in Roundup settlement
A jury Monday awarded $2.055 billion to a California couple who blamed Bayer’s Roundup weedkiller for causing their cancer, the largest such verdict to date and one that adds significant pressure to a company struggling to contain the fallout from last year’s…
Man Awarded $80 Million in Monsanto Roundup case
Eight days after a U.S. jury found that Roundup weed killer was a substantial factor in a California man’s cancer, it has awarded him $80 million in damages. The six-person jury in San Francisco returned its verdict in favor of Edwin Hardeman, 70, who said…
Roundup FAQ
Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, has maintained for several years, despite accumulating evidence to the contrary, that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round Up, does not pose any hazard to humans and is a relatively safe herbicide.
However, in March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) considered to be the global gold standard for carcinogenicity studies, re-classified glyphosate as a Class 2A “probable human carcinogen” and stated that toxic effects in other mammals was also “sufficiently demonstrated.”
No. It is now believed that both Monsanto and federal agencies knew of the link between glyphosate and cancer as long ago as 1980, when malignant tumors and other organ damage was recorded in rat and mouse studies conducted by the company.
Evidence of harmful effects of glyphosate exposure has been accumulating since 2002, and while recent studies have raised serious questions about the safety of glyphosate, in July 2013, the EPA nonetheless raised the allowable limits for glyphosate in oilseed crops from 20 ppm to 40 ppm. The FDA did not perform independent tests on whether higher residue levels of glyphosate were dangerous to humans or the environment; it relied on tests and data provided by Monsanto.
The most serious side effect linked to exposure to the glyphosate in Roundup is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which has become the focus of potential litigation against Monsanto.
U.S. consumers use nearly a billion pounds of glyphosate in field and lawn applications each year.
Landscapers, groundskeepers, and other lawn care professionals who receive indirect exposure.
Data continues to accumulate showing adverse effects of glyphosate even in infinitesimal (parts per trillion) concentrations based on its presence in our food supplies.
If you have purchased and used Roundup® since 1980, you have been exposed to glyphosate. You may have also been indirectly exposed to glyphosate in the meats, vegetables, and water you consume daily.
Based on the IARC’s recent and long overdue re-classification of glyphosate as a Class 2A “probable human carcinogen” and the rise in the incidence of the injuries associated with exposure, litigation against Monsanto is pending in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California.
No. Recently the Argentinian Federation of Health Professionals stated: “Glyphosate not only causes cancer. It is also associated with increased spontaneous abortions, birth defects, skin diseases, and respiratory and neurological disease.” In addition, glyphosate is now considered a carcinogen by Denmark’s Working Environment Authority (WEA).
If you have developed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or chronic lymphatic leukemia after exposure to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, you may be eligible for filing a claim.
In addition to working with your health care professional, you should also report the incident to the EPA and/or FDA.
To find out if you are eligible to file a claim against Monsanto after suffering an injury as a result of exposure to glyphosate in Roundup, contact McDivitt Law Firm at (800) 378-4252
or click here for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Complications from Roundup?
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