Why Is Roundup still being sold?

Given the growing number of reports and lawsuits about Roundup’s dangers, you may be wondering: Why is Roundup still being sold?

What is Roundup?

Roundup is a popular weedkiller manufactured by Monsanto, now owned by Bayer. Its active ingredient is glyphosate — an ingredient that is becoming increasingly controversial around the globe.

Glyphosate is included in more than 750 products sold in the United States, according to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). Farmers widely use glyphosate-based weedkillers, including Roundup, to protect their crops from destructive weeds.

Is Roundup dangerous?

If you are a farmer, a landscaper, or even a home gardener, you may be wondering: Is Roundup dangerous? It depends on who you ask.

A major Roundup lawsuit ended in a former school groundskeeper’s victory against Monsanto in 2018, when jurors found Monsanto had failed to warn him of the risks of Roundup use, including the risk of cancer, which led to his diagnosis with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Some major organizations consider Roundup’s active ingredient glyphosate to be a human carcinogen — that is, a substance capable of causing cancer in humans, according to the NPIC.

Glyphosate exposure can lead to a number of side effects. Short-term side effects can include eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation; increased saliva; burns in the mouth or throat; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea. More long-term side effects can include a number of different kinds of cancers, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, bone cancer, and more.

More than a dozen countries as well as many jurisdictions so far have banned the use of glyphosate, and others have severely restricted its use. Some states in the U.S. have banned glyphosate usage, as well, though the chemical is not banned at the federal level. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer lists glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen,” according to an Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment notice.

Why is Roundup still being sold?

So why is Roundup still being sold?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains glyphosate is not a risk to public health. Non-government studies and others disagree.

Bayer maintains its confidence in Roundup sales due to the faith American farmers have in the product, even in light of all the lawsuits, per a September 2019 article in The New York Times.

“Roundup is still a fabulous tool,” Wisconsin farmer Andy Bensend told The New York Times.

The newspaper reported glyphosate is the most widely used farming chemical ever, and investors reason farmers’ dependence on Roundup will continue as the population grows and food demand increases.

Even in light of health concerns, research by Mordor Intelligence estimates the global glyphosate market could hit $12 billion by 2024, The New York Times reported.

Bayer crop science division president Liam Condon told The New York Times the company is “committed to making sure the product remains available.”

The company said in June 2019 it would invest upward of $5 million in the next decade to researching weed control. However, Condon told The New York Times, glyphosate would remain one of the company’s base products.

What to do with your old Roundup products

Do not flush chemicals, including glyphosate, down your toilet, sink, or drain, and do not dispose of them in the environment, especially near water. Instructions on the product’s container should inform you how to dispose of excess weedkiller. You can also find out by calling your local waste company.

Pesticides that reach waterways can harm fish, plants, and other organisms, according to the EPA.

How to join a Roundup lawsuit

Monsanto and Bayer have been hit with thousands of lawsuits over allegations of Roundup-related cancer, Reuters reported.

Many Roundup trials have resulted in significant awards to affected consumers. In November 2021, the California Supreme Court upheld a $87 million award to a California couple who allegedly developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup. Monsanto tried to appeal this award but was turned down by the high court.

Consumers may also be able to receive benefits from future Roundup settlements, if agreements are reached with Monsanto or Bayer. In Canada, Monsanto agreed to pay $45 million to resolve a group of Roundup class action lawsuits. A similar agreement was reached in California.

If you are a U.S. citizen and have been diagnosed with cancer after having been exposed to Roundup, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by a cancer diagnosis, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially after a cancer diagnosis, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced lawyer. Consulting a lawyer can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.