According to many recent lawsuits against Bayer, an ingredient in the weed killer Roundup may result in serious health consequences for people. Roundup was developed by Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer in 2018.

Many victims claim that the agricultural company should have been aware of the potential dangers associated with their product. While people in occupations such as landscaping, gardening, farming, and parks and recreation may be at additional risk of being exposed to the dangerous ingredients in Roundup, Canadian citizens may also have been exposed to the chemical, which is often commercially sprayed by businesses and cities.

What Roundup Ingredients Are Toxic?

Consumers who have heard of the risks associated with the weed killer Roundup may be wondering which Roundup ingredients are toxic. Roundup is made up of several chemicals. Some of these chemicals are meant to kill weeds and some make it easier for the weed-killing chemicals to enter plant cells. Other chemicals may be added to extend the shelf life of the product. However, the active ingredient in Roundup is the one that may be most hazardous to human health. This dangerous chemical contained in Roundup is glyphosate. In addition to Roundup, glyphosate is also found in many other weed-killing products.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a phosphonic acid compound that is used as an herbicide. The compound is available as a liquid and a solid, and is meant to be applied to broadleaf weeds and grasses to control the spread of unwanted plants and weeds, as well as invasive species. In addition to killing weeds, glyphosate may also be used by some commercial farmers to facilitate the desiccation and drying out of crops before they are harvested. Some research suggests that this practice may make it more likely for glyphosate to wind up in food products made from these crops.

In order to ensure that glyphosate does not also kill the crops it is sprayed on, Monsanto and Bayer have developed crops that are strong enough to be resistant to the chemical. These genetically modified crops include soybeans, corn, alfalfa, cotton, and sorghum.

Glyphosate was registered for use as an herbicide in the 1970s when Monsanto patented Roundup as a weed killer for personal and commercial use. This patent expired in 2000, and today glyphosate products are produced by many companies, making the compound the most widely used weed killer in the world. According to one study from 2016, approximately 9.4 million tons of glyphosate have been sprayed onto fields in countries across the globe.

Unfortunately, although glyphosate and Roundup are widely used and trusted by companies, cities, and individuals, these products may be harmful to humans, and lead to dangerous or life-threatening side effects.

Potential Side Effects of Glyphosate Exposure

In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer reported that glyphosate was potentially hazardous to humans and officially categorized the substance as “probably carcinogenic,” meaning that it is likely to have the capability to cause cancer in people. This decision was announced after studies showed that glyphosate had the potential to cause tumors and other negative consequences in animals.

The type of cancer associated with exposure to glyphosate and Roundup is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This kind of cancer develops in the lymphatic system, the part of the body that is responsible for fighting disease. However, it may also spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. It is likely that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma caused by Roundup occurs after years of repeated exposure.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma caused by Roundup can cause several side effects that people who have been exposed to glyphosate may want to be aware of. These potential side effects may include swollen, painless lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpit, abdominal pain or swelling, chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.

Other potential side effects of glyphosate exposure may include skin or eye irritation, burning in the nose or throat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Roundup Cancer Risks

As Roundup cancer may be caused by repeated exposure to glyphosate, people who work in fields where glyphosate is commonly used may be at an especially high risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These occupations may include groundskeepers, parks and recreation workers, workers at golf courses, landscapers, professional gardeners, or commercial farmers. Some people who have used Roundup for years for personal uses such as hobby gardening and weed control may also be at risk.

People in these fields may be exposed to glyphosate if proper protective equipment is not worn. Without gloves, masks, or other personal protective equipment, glyphosate may be absorbed or ingested. Although it is difficult for the chemical to pass through the skin, it may easily be swallowed or inhaled by people spraying it on crops and weeds.

What to Do if You Have Experienced Roundup Ingredients Side Effects

If you have experienced side effects that you believe may be related to glyphosate cancer, legal options may be available to you. Over the past several years, many recent lawsuits have been filed against Monsanto and Bayer by victims claiming that exposure to Roundup resulted in them developing dangerous health conditions. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in multi-million, or even billion, dollar settlements for the victims. Although Bayer has fought to reverse or reduce some of these awards, many victims have still been granted huge financial sums as compensation for their injuries and suffering. In one case in California, a married couple who developed glyphosate cancer had their initial award of $2 billion reduced to $86 million.

Finding a Roundup Lawsuit Lawyer

Victims of Roundup-related cancers may be able to hire an experienced lawyer to review their case and determine whether they qualify to file a class action lawsuit against Bayer. Victims who are eligible to pursue litigation against the agricultural company may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, injuries, and pain and suffering. In some cases, families may also qualify to pursue wrongful death claims against the company.

Top Class Actions has partnered with experienced lawyers to make finding legal representation for victims easy and fast.