This well-known herbicide soared in popularity among industrial farmers in the late 90s when Monsanto (the company that previously owned Roundup), reveled their newest bright idea, genetically engineered seeds that could withstand direct exposure to this potent herbicide.
Naturally, this spurred the widespread adoption of Roundup as the weed-killer of choice and genetically modified seeds, such as corn, soy, cotton, canola, sugar beets, and alfalfa crops that would thrive while the weeds around them would perish.
Roundup is also used regularly in industrial farming to help dry out crops to allow for a faster harvest, as per Monsanto’s (now Bayer’s) recommendation. This means that even non-Gmo crops are being sprayed with Roundup to act as a desiccant.
Over the years, the growing popularity of Roundup for home, farm, and public use have lead to increased concern regarding the potentially carcinogenic effects of this chemical. There have also been numerous studies reporting other negative results of Roundup, specifically regarding its main active ingredient glyphosate lingering in water, food, and contributing to air pollution.
The following health issues have all been connected to Roundup exposure:
Cancer
One of the most significant and most highly studied concerns regarding Roundup is its role in the development of a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkins lymphoma. According to legal data, “More than 40,000 cancer victims or their family members are now suing Monsanto blaming exposure to the company’s line of Roundup herbicides for their diseases, according to Bayer. The lawsuits allege that exposure to Monsanto’s herbicides caused the plaintiffs to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that though Monsanto knew about the cancer risks, it intentionally did not warn consumers.”
In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” following an extensive review of scientific studies. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issued a report the following year saying that glyphosate was “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans” at doses relevant to human health. Numerous other studies, reviews, and analyses over the past few years have contradicted or confirmed both of these statements, making it difficult to weed out the truth.
This issue has been a hot topic in news headlines, with Roundup related cancer lawsuits dominating the media. The mounting evidence against Roundup isn’t hopeful for the future of the toxic herbicide.
Childhood brain cancer
One older study linked parental Roundup exposure in the two years prior to a child’s birth to the development of brain cancer. This study compared children with brain cancer to healthy children and determined that pre-conception herbicide exposure doubled the risk of this tragic condition.
Reproductive issues
Though more human studies are needed to confirm the link, there is some evidence to suggest that glyphosate could play a role in reproductive issues. In a specific study, male rats exposed to high levels of glyphosate, during prenatal or pubertal development, suffered from noted reproductive problems such as decreased testosterone and sperm production and delayed puberty.
ADHD
ADHD in farming communities has been closely liked to excessive roundup exposure. Researchers believe this could have something to do with glyphosate’s interference in thyroid hormone functions.
Liver disease
Long term use of the herbicide Roundup could cause the development of liver disease, according to some laboratory studies. The study examined very low doses of Roundup, similar to what humans and animals are likely exposed to and determined that even diluted doses are toxic and could disrupt human liver cell function.
Congenital disabilities
Though the research regarding the effects of glyphosate on a developing fetus is often contradictory, there is enough evidence to suggest that this chemical compound could be responsible for several congenital disabilities when pregnant women are exposed to high doses. It has also been connected to shortened pregnancy lengths and premature birth.
Impaired gut health
There is nothing quite so damaging to the gut as the modern American diet. Full of processed sugar, greasy fats, and genetically modified foods that have been doused with potentially harmful herbicides, it’s no wonder that gut health has become such a concern. According to scientific research, Roundup is only contributing to the growing issue, with numerous links between environmental pollutants and a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria.
Remember, over 750 other herbicides, in addition to Roundup, contain the harmful ingredient glyphosate; common ones include Ortho GroundClear, DowDuPont’s Rodeo, Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer, RM43 Total Vegetation Control and Ranger Pro Herbicide. It is best to avoid toxic herbicides altogether in your garden and stick to natural weed-killing solutions whenever possible.
Always eat organic, non-GMO produce and wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly before eating. Trace amounts of Roundup have even been found on organic products potentially from the herbicide blowing onto organic crops from other fields. Thankfully, these trace amounts are not enough to cause harm, but it is still essential to take every precaution.