If you’re a gardener, chances are that you’ve used Roundup at some point. It’s one of the most popular weedkillers on the market, and it’s often recommended by gardeners as well as landscapers.
Roundup was first launched in 1974 by Monsanto. In 2018, the acquisition of Monsanto for $ 63 billion by Bayer was completed.
Though Roundup has been in use for nearly 50 years, recently, many studies have found it to be unsafe for humans. Already it is banned or strictly regulated in 30 countries. Read on to know more about the possible effects of this widely used herbicide.
Why Is Roundup Weedkiller Considered Harmful?
Roundup is one of the most popular weedkiller brands around and can be found in your local hardware store. It’s often used to kill weeds around ponds and drains, as it kills all types of plants without harming the surrounding soil or plants.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient present in Roundup, has been perceived to be a likely carcinogen in various studies. A recent review by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information has indicated there is sufficient evidence to suggest glyphosate causes Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Some other side effects of glyphosate include lung problems, seizures, and dizziness. In addition, several studies have shown that Roundup can cause birth defects in unborn babies if their mothers were exposed while they were pregnant with them.
Do You Have Health Issues Connected to Roundup?
If you believe you were affected with health issues due to exposure to Roundup weedkiller, follow reliable online resources to know more about the Roundup Lawsuit. Already, Bayer, the company which acquired Roundup from Monsanto in 2018, has made billions of dollars in damages to plaintiffs who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include swelling of lymph nodes, sudden weight loss, chest pain, bone pain, headaches, and vomiting, among others, according to Healthline. In case you can link your health issues with the usage of a weedkiller containing glyphosate, you may be eligible for damages.
Herbicides containing glyphosate are in use throughout the United States. These herbicides are sprayed on nearly 50% of soybean and corn crops grown in this country, reports NBC News. The Midwest and parts of the Southern region have the highest use.
Because of this widespread usage of glyphosate, it is possible many people engaged in agriculture are already affected by this toxic chemical entering the food chain as run-off from fields. Exposure to glyphosate happens mostly when you touch or consume food or water containing residues or inhale mists or spray any herbicide containing glyphosate.
Diseases Caused by Prolonged Exposure to Weedkillers
Here are five diseases that prolonged exposure to Roundup and other weedkillers can cause. We believe every gardener or agriculturist should know these facts before using this product.
Cancer
Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, has been linked to cancer. It’s a known carcinogen.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared glyphosate a “probable carcinogen.” The same agency found that glyphosate can cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also states that glyphosate may be “probably carcinogenic.”
Lung Problems
When using weed killers, you inhale a lot of fumes and dust. These fumes can irritate your lungs and even lead to lung problems. Wear protective gear on your face to prevent inhalation of these fumes.
Seizures and Dizziness
A seizure can be caused by an irregular electrical activity happening inside your brain that causes neurons there to misfire and send signals rapidly all over your body at once. This results in abnormal movements such as shaking arms or legs uncontrollably and facial twitches along with loss of muscle control over things like breathing patterns which can lead to unconsciousness if severe enough long enough without treatment.
Dizziness manifests as headaches, nausea, blurred vision, or double vision. It can cause trouble with balance.
Birth Defects
In 2015, the state of California found that Roundup was linked to birth defects. The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) explains that “Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide and carcinogen that has been linked to many adverse health effects including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, endocrine disruption, and DNA damage.”
In November 2017, PAN published a study in the journal Environmental Pollution which found evidence showing that Roundup causes malformations in frog embryos at doses far below what is permitted by regulators. PAN researchers showed how glyphosate can cause malformations in frog embryos at doses well within the range considered safe for humans by regulators.
How to Protect Yourself?
There are certain steps we can take to protect ourselves from the dangers of Roundup and other pesticides.
First of all, avoid using weedkillers on your lawn or garden whenever possible. Try natural alternatives instead.
If you do need to use a pesticide, make sure it’s labeled “safe for children” or something similar. Don’t just trust that it’s safe because it doesn’t seem harmful on its own.
Finally, always wear protective gear when handling any potentially hazardous chemicals. If in doubt, ask an expert before using anything.
