(NaturalHealth365)  Glyphosate, a widely-used herbicide, has been in use for an extended period, even as its association with lymphoma and various cancers has become increasingly recognized.  This compound is the active ingredient in the Monsanto/Bayer product, Roundup, which stands as one of the world’s most prevalent herbicides.

Despite the World Health Organization’s (WHO) designation of the product as “likely carcinogenic” and a verdict that compelled Monsanto to compensate affected farmers with over $2.1 billion, glyphosate remains permitted in the U.S.  However, a fresh alliance of medical experts, scientists, everyday citizens, and agricultural laborers is fervently pushing for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to outlaw glyphosate definitively.  While a similar legal challenge against the EPA from three years ago did not succeed, the coalition is optimistic this time around, especially given the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) recent assertions about glyphosate’s potential carcinogenic nature.  Let’s delve into their claims and evaluate their validity.

Glyphosate: Pervasive presence and potential risks

Glyphosate, predominantly employed in industrial farming, serves as a toxic weapon against weeds on a vast agricultural landscape.  Recognizable in its domestic avatar as Roundup, you might have encountered this product on store shelves or perhaps even utilized it in your own backyard.

Several research endeavors have highlighted glyphosate’s concerning attributes.  It’s been linked not only as an endocrine disruptor but also as a potential carcinogen, particularly associated with lymphoma.  Given the extensive application of Roundup in agricultural settings, farm workers often find themselves consistently exposed to this chemical.

The widespread adoption of Roundup can be attributed to its efficacy combined with its cost-effectiveness, making it a staple in both commercial and residential landscaping ventures.  Yet, the uncertainty surrounding one’s exposure frequency to glyphosate underscores a significant concern, amplifying the overall issue at hand.

How does glyphosate cause harm?

Glyphosate has been implicated by medical boards and researchers throughout the world in a variety of cancers and neurological disorders.  Particularly when exposed in childhood, the risks are increased dramatically.

Glyphosate externally can cause chemical burns, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when exposure is in small amounts.  Repeated exposure over time, such as being in a household where Roundup is used for landscaping or working in a field where Roundup is sprayed for crop maintenance, can lead to a host of life-threatening and chronically debilitating disorders.

Why won’t the EPA ban glyphosate?

The crux of the problem comes back to the fact that although many health organizations throughout the entire world – including the NIH and the WHO – recognize the dangers of glyphosate, the EPA simply will not ban it.  Moreover, the EPA states that they have done many studies and have concluded that there is no risk or adverse health effects when exposed to glyphosate.

This coalition lawsuit is bigger and more profound than the one that the EPA won 3 years ago, and hopefully, it is enough to sway the agency to finally at least admit the dangers inherent in glyphosate exposure.

Only time will tell if more studies come to light, showing a clear link between glyphosate exposure and adverse health effects, to the point where the EPA can no longer deny what is staring them in the face … glyphosate is a poison that must be banned for the good of humanity.

Sources for this article include:

Childrenshealthdefense.org