Andrew Sullo is a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer (as named by the National Trial Lawyers 2013-2019).
Roundup weed killer is currently the most popular chemical for weed control across the globe. Roundup is used, not only by farmers in agricultural applications but by your average homeowner in fields, lawns, and gardens. Although Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, continues to assert the weed killer is perfectly safe, a significant number of studies have linked it to serious health issues. Since Roundup brings in some $4.76 billion dollars each year for Monsanto, it is very much to the company’s advantage to deny any adverse health issues associated with Roundup, particularly Roundup cancer.
What is Roundup? Monsanto transitioned to a predominantly agricultural company in the 90s, however, the division struggled. While the success of the herbicide Lasso helped boost the division, by the time Agent Orange was banned, Monsanto faced further criticism for Lasso. The weed killer we know as Roundup was born at this time, with the active ingredient, glyphosate. You may have seen in the news that glyphosate has been classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Glyphosate is currently the most widely produced herbicide by volume across the globe, used both in agriculture and by the backyard gardener. In fact, Roundup, launched in 1974, helped make Monsanto the largest producer of herbicides. Several studies have shown that those who work with glyphosate have been shown to be at an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Other studies have linked tumors in mice and rats to glyphosate.
What is Glyphosate? Glyphosate is a compound with a molecular structure which is similar to glycine, an amino acid. Glyphosate is not only used in Roundup but in many other herbicides as well. The weed killer works by inhibiting a metabolic pathway known as the Shikimate pathway, which is crucial for plants and some microorganisms but does not exist in humans. The human digestive system, however, does contain microorganisms which make use of the Shikimate pathway. In fact, according to a paper on the Shikimate pathway, written by Jeanne D’Brant, Associate Professor of Biology and Allied Health, glyphosate disables the Shikimate pathway, and since the human microbiome contains trillions of bacteria which play crucial roles in our body, humans are “severely impacted by use of glyphosate…”
Glyphosate is an endocrine communication molecule disruptor, which downregulates essential amino acids in the body such as phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine. Glyphosate begins toxicity at 10,000 ppm, affecting human mitochondria, and potentially being linked to spontaneous abortion, multiple myeloma and Roundup Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Some studies have shown that glyphosate alone inhibits DNA, causing developmental delays. Roundup weed killer is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants it comes into contact with. Because of this, Monsanto developed GMO (genetically modified) seeds, which are glyphosate-resistant.
Majority of Primary Crops in the U.S. are GMO—and Sprayed with Roundup - This means the seeds have been altered to allow farmers to spray an entire field with Roundup, without harming the altered seeds and resulting crops. A huge proportion of the most commonly grown crops in the United States today are genetically engineers—according to USA Today, 95 percent of our sugar beets, 94 percent of all soybeans, 90 percent of the cotton and 88 percent of feed corn. Nearly 90 percent of papayas grown in the U.S. have been genetically engineered, and most of us routinely eat genetically engineered zucchini, yellow squash, and sweet corn.
Farmers and Others Who Work Closely with Roundup at Risk for Adverse Effects - Farmers and others who work closely with herbicides like Roundup seem to be at the highest risk for adverse effects from the glyphosate and other ingredients in Roundup. In fact, glyphosate residues have been found in the blood and urine of farm workers, and another study has hypothesized that glyphosate could be at least partially responsible for chronic kidney disease among farm workers in Sri Lanka. Because many weed species have developed a resistance to glyphosate, more and more Roundup is being sprayed on crops which are eventually consumed by human beings.
Does Roundup Cause Cancer? In a meta-analysis reported by Forbes this year, it was found that those with the highest exposure to glyphosate had a 41 percent higher risk of Roundup non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This meta-analysis merged the results from six earlier studies, including more than 65,000 people, however, the focus was on those with the highest levels of exposure. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the more common cancers in the United States, although the lifetime risks for men in the U.S. is about 2.4 percent and about 1.9 percent for women. Those who work in agriculture or routinely use Roundup have an increased risk of Roundup Non-Hodgkin lymphoma—3.4 percent for men and 2.6 percent for women.
Should You File a Monsanto Roundup Lawsuit? Because there are definitely glyphosate dangers, those who have used Roundup, ending up injured as a result, should speak to a Monsanto Roundup lawyer regarding a potential Roundup lawsuit. Roundup weed killer could potentially be a cause of Roundup Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. A Roundup cancer lawsuit could help recoup the losses suffered as a result of Roundup weed killer. In fact, a Roundup weed killer lawsuit could help pay medical expenses associated with Roundup weed killer injuries, as well as lost wages and lost future wages if the injuries are severe enough to prevent you from returning to work.
As Monsanto Roundup lawsuits continue to mount, more studies are being done, and more glyphosate dangers are coming to life. There are still many, many questions which need answers, but when a substance is deemed “probably carcinogenic to humans,” the potential glyphosate dangers should be taken seriously. It is expected that as more studies are done on Monsanto Roundup, more facts will come to light. If you believe you suffered harm from Monsanto Roundup, or you have developed Monsanto Roundup cancer, an experienced Roundup attorney from Sullo & Sullo can help you during this difficult time. Whether you have developed Roundup Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or another type of Roundup cancer, it could be very beneficial to speak to a Sullo & Sullo Roundup lawyer to determine what your options are as well as to ensure you meet all required time deadlines.