A man has filed a lawsuit against chemical giant Monsanto alleging his use of a popular herbicide led to Roundup health problems.

Plaintiff William S. says he used Roundup herbicides to a great extent at his job as a fish hatchery technician for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He alleges he was exposed to Roundup’s active ingredient glyphosate and the surfactant POEA “in large volume and on a regular basis.”

Because of this lengthy exposure to Roundup, William alleges he developed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), which is a subtype of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL).

Monsanto is the top producer of glyphosate-based herbicides in the world. The company discovered the herbicidal uses of the chemical in the 1970s. Every year, nearly 250 million pounds of glyphosate coat crops, commercial nurseries, lawns, parks and golf courses. The herbicide indiscriminately kills all plant life, which led to Monsanto leading “the proliferation of genetically engineered crops, specifically tailored to resist the activity of glyphosate.”

Roundup resistant crops are often referred to as GMO crops (genetically modified organisms). These “Roundup Ready” or “glyphosate tolerant” crops were introduced in 1996.

Monsanto Facing Allegations of Roundup Health Problems

After 40 years on the market, Roundup is now facing allegations that its mixture of ingredients is particularly toxic compared to the active ingredient glyphosate alone.

In 2005, a researcher named Francisco Peixoto conducted a study that found Roundup’s toxicity is more harmful than the identical concentrations of glyphosate alone. His study compared the effects of the Roundup product to the effects of glyphosate on rat liver mitochondria.

A 2009 study by Nora Benachour and Gilles-Eric Seralini “concluded that supposed ‘inert’ ingredients, and possibly POEA, change human cell permeability and amplify toxicity of glyphosate alone.”

That 2009 study purportedly used diluted levels of Roundup and glyphosate that corresponded with low levels of residues left on food.

According to the Roundup health problems lawsuit, glyphosate and specifically, Roundup, allegedly have been linked to several forms of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and soft tissue sarcoma.

Monsanto is accused of failing to properly warn William of the dangerous risks allegedly associated with the use and exposure to glyphosate and Roundup products.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the intergovernmental cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. The IARC conducts and coordinates research to identify carcinogens. In 2015, the IARC identified Roundup herbicide as a Class 2A “probable carcinogen” to humans.

The IARC working group noted an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and subtypes of the cancer among those exposed to glyphosate. The increased risk was verified even after adjustments for other pesticides. The IARC also determined that DNA and chromosomes in human cells purportedly were susceptible to damage from glyphosate.

The Roundup Health Problems Lawsuit is Case No. 4:19-cv-00060-AGF in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after using Roundup as a farm worker or home gardener, you may have a legal claim. Legal migrant farm workers may also seek help. Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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