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Roundup Overview
First introduced for commercial use by Monsanto back in 1974, Roundup is a herbicide used to kill weeds by blocking the essential proteins that help weeds grow. Roundup is also known by its non-brand name, glyphosate.
Of all herbicides, glyphosate has the highest global production volume. Roundup is used in more than 160 countries across the globe—with more than 1.4 billion pounds applied every year.
Roundup Risks
Unfortunately, the use of Roundup has been linked with some serious risks, including cancer.
In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared Roundup (glyphosate) to be a probable carcinogen. The IARC found evidence connecting glyphosate exposure with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Tumors in mice exposed to glyphosate caused the EPA to classify glyphosate as a possible carcinogen back in 1985.
Research at the University of Washington recently found that the risk of developing non-Hodgkin Lymphoma may be increased by 41 percent in those exposed to glyphosate.
Exposure to Roundup may lead to a number of types of cancer, including but not limited to:
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Multiple Myeloma
- Bone cancer
- Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer)
Exposure to Roundup
So how does exposure to Roundup occur? The vast majority of glyphosate use is in the agriculture industry, especially with regard to corn, soy, and cotton. Glyphosate has also been found in waterways and rainfall samples. Roundup may also be in your very own garage or shed—it’s one of the most commonly used home gardening weed killers in the United States. But those who are most likely to experience glyphosate exposure are people who work or live near the farms where glyphosate is regularly used.
In the United States, the Roundup glyphosate-cancer link is hotly debated. Organizations in the agriculture industry, such as Monsanto, the American Soybean Association, and the National Corn Growers Association, maintain that Roundup is safe and not connected with cancer. But the IARC, the EPA, and more still find reason to be cautious.
Outside of the U.S., however, other countries are taking steps to protect its citizens from the potentially devastating effects of glyphosate exposure. Sri Lanka banned the use of glyphosate due to a connection with human kidney disease, and Brazil is considering a ban as well. In the Netherlands and Mexico, new restrictions have been put in place.
Roundup Lawsuits
A growing number of plaintiffs are coming forward with lawsuits over Roundup-related cancer, alleging that they were not adequately warned about the risks involved with glyphosate products. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed, and some Roundup cancer lawsuits have resulted in significant settlement amounts.
If you or someone you love has suffered from one of these cancers because of exposure to Roundup herbicide, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by Roundup cancer, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
