The active ingredient in Roundup has been linked to a significantly increased risk of cancer, which has caused manufacturer Monsanto Company to face thousands of lawsuits. One of the most recent Roundup lawsuits was filed by a man from California, alleging the weedkiller had caused him to develop permanent health problems.

Plaintiff Pedro C. says he used Roundup on a regular basis until December 2016, when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Pedro opted to file legal action against Monsanto after he discovered the active ingredient in Roundup was potentially carcinogenic in March 2017.

Prior to discovering this connection, Pedro alleges he relied on the information on the weedkiller’s label and marketing materials provided by Monsanto, which he says failed to mention this correlation.

The active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, is a selective herbicide that targets plants with a specific enzyme and inhibits their reproductive abilities. It’s been used widely by farmers and commercial nurseries alike.

There are currently over 750 products on the market that contain glyphosate, making it one of the most popular weedkillers in the United States, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.

Overview of Glyphosate Carcinogenic Effects

It has recently been discovered that glyphosate could significantly increase the risk of cancer for consumers and has spurred major concern in the medical community.

In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released a report stating that glyphosate has been linked to cancer.

The IARC issued this announcement after reviewing studies from three different countries that all concluded that glyphosate increased the likelihood of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma:

• A Canadian study, published in the American Association for Cancer Research in November 2001, found that subjects exposed to glyphosate had been developing non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in under 10 years after exposure.
• An American study was published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal and concluded that glyphosate and certain other pesticides were “potentially carcinogenic” and were “associated with increased NHL [non Hodgkin’s lymphoma] incidence.”
• A Swedish study was published in the International Journal of Cancer in October 2008 had found that the risk of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma had doubled in less than 10 years after glyphosate exposure.

Researchers had reportedly begun investigating the correlation between pesticides and cancer development after noticing numerous farmers had been diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspecting a connection beginning in the 1980s.

Even though Roundup has been on the market for over 40 years, plaintiffs like Pedro allege Monsanto Company failed to warn their customers that their product was potentially carcinogenic. The cancers that have been linked to glyphosate exposure include, but are not limited to:

• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Multiple Myeloma
• B-cell Lymphoma
• Bone Cancer
• Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer)
• Skin Tumors
• Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumors
• Chromosomal Damage
• DNA Damage

At all times relevant, Pedro says he relied on the marketing materials provided by Monsanto and had no reason to believe he was at risk for any serious health complications. Pedro is seeking a multitude of damages in his Roundup lawsuit, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Roundup Lawsuit is Case No. 8:19-cv-00117-JVS-KES, in the Superior Court in the State of California.

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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