What are the side effects of glyphosate?

The side effects of glyphosate exposure may range from minor skin irritation to more dramatic conditions such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, according to a growing number of allegations from consumers as well as studies from experts.

If you have suffered from side effects of glyphosate, you may be eligible for legal help.

What is glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide used to kill several types of weeds and grasses. The chemical is commonly found in weed-killing products such as Roundup. The herbicide, which was invented at Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), has domestic, agricultural, and non-agricultural applications. Glyphosate use in the U.S. dates back to the 1970s and has become more widely used ever since.

Glyphosate has the highest global production volume among herbicides and is used by more than 160 different companies. More than 1.4 billion pounds of glyphosate are used every year.

However, exposure to glyphosate can have serious side effects.

What are the side effects of glyphosate?

Individuals can come into contact with glyphosate by touching, inhaling, or swallowing the chemical, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. Short term side effects of glyphosate may include eye irritation, skin irritation, nose/throat irritation, increased saliva, burns in the mouth/throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals will likely experience glyphosate side effects based on the manner in which they were exposed to the chemical.

Glyphosate may also be linked to more serious side effects, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, B-cell lymphoma, bone cancer, kidney cancer, skin tumors, pancreatic islet cell tumors, and other cancers.

The carcinogenicity of glyphosate is debated. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies the chemical as a probable carcinogen but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains glyphosate is safe. Roundup manufacturers also insist glyphosate is not a carcinogen, but some scientific studies into the safety of the powerful herbicide conclude the opposite is true.

In February 2019, the journal Mutation Research published a University of Washington study which concluded that exposure to glyphosate increases the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 41%, CNN reported.

“All of the meta-analyses conducted to date, including our own, consistently report the same key finding: exposure to GBHs (glyphosate-based herbicides) are associated with an increased risk of NHL,” the researchers wrote, according to CNN.

How do I know if I’ve been exposed to glyphosate?

Even one interaction with glyphosate can lead to some side effects when the chemical’s concentration is high enough. You might not realize right away what has happened, but the sooner you can talk to someone about your concerns, the easier it will be to figure out if you face any risks from glyphosate exposure.

When glyphosate is in its purest form, its toxicity level is low. Typically, however, most consumers won’t interact with pure glyphosate because products such as Roundup use other ingredients that help plants absorb glyphosate; it’s this interaction with other ingredients that increases the risk.

While this product is most likely to cause skin or eye irritation, other side effects can occur, too, especially if you breathe in a sprayed form of a glyphosate-containing product.

Humans aren’t the only ones at risk of injury, either: Pets can be at risk with symptoms such as lost appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea if they accidentally ingest a product containing glyphosate.

Can glyphosate be passed out through my skin?

It is not easy for humans to excrete glyphosate, or products containing the chemical, through the skin as a means of ridding it from the body. Usually, the chemical leaves the body through urine or feces without being converted to another chemical.

This means glyphosate passes through the entire body, potentially wreaking havoc along the way because it is absorbed quickly, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.

Have glyphosate side effect lawsuits been filed?

There have been numerous lawsuits filed against Roundup manufacturer Monsanto as well as Monsanto’s parent company, Bayer. Consumers claim Monsanto hid information showing Roundup can cause cancer, resulting in countless individuals developing conditions such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In August 2018, one of these Roundup lawsuits resulted in a massive jury award of $289 million, according to CNN — $250 million in punitive damages and $39 million in compensatory damages.

The multimillion-dollar verdict was awarded to plaintiff Dewayne J., a groundskeeper soaked with Roundup on two occasions. In addition to exposure during these incidents, he reportedly sprayed Roundup 20 to 30 times per year for his job. Dewayne’s Roundup lawyer argued his client’s exposure to glyphosate caused him to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Dewayne’s doctors reportedly told him his condition was terminal, which allowed him to have an expedited trial under California law. Lesions covered 80% of Dewayne’s body, and it was uncertain whether he would survive to see the historic jury decision.

Although Monsanto eventually won an appeal to have the award reduced to $78 million, Dewayne’s victory will allow him and his family to live the remainder of their lives in comfort.

Monsanto is currently fighting a $25 million decision made against it in a separate Roundup cancer lawsuit, fearing the precedent it would set as it faces tens of thousands of similar cases in the near future. Monsanto’s owner Bayer AG has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision.

Can I file a glyphosate lawsuit?

A growing number of people are coming forward with allegations of major side effects from glyphosate, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, after exposure to Roundup weedkiller. Lawsuits, while being held up due to COVID-19, allege Monsanto knew about the glyphosate risks related to Roundup exposure but failed to warn the public about these risks, placing company profit over people’s safety.

If you or someone you love has suffered from side effects of Roundup exposure, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by glyphosate-related cancer, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can help alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially when you’re already dealing with an injury or disease, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced glyphosate attorney. An attorney can help you determine you if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.