Recent studies have highlighted many possible dangers of glyphosate herbicide, known commonly as Roundup.
October/November 2013
By Shelley Stonebrook

Glyphosate herbicide, more commonly known as Roundup, is the world’s most commonly used herbicide. It is sprayed on everything from homeowner’s lawns to gigantic fields of “Roundup-Ready” genetically modified crops. Though ubiquitous, many research studies suggest that this weed-killing chemical is far from benign. Browse this roundup of information to learn about some of the dangers of glyphosate.

EPA Raised Residue Limits of Monsanto’s Toxic Chemical Glyphosate Herbicide
The toxic herbicide Roundup is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to serious health impacts, and now the EPA is raising the allowing residue limits for many crops.
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Hazards of the World’s Most Common Herbicide
New scientific studies link Roundup (glyphosate), the most widely used herbicide in the world, to a host of health risks, such as cancer, miscarriages and disruption of human sex hormones.

Roundup Weed Killer Kills More Than Weeds
Alarming new research on the health hazards of Roundup weed killer is shining a harsh light on a regulatory process that was meant to protect us.

Glyphosate Use
This chart shows that glyphosate use in the United States has been steadily increasing every year, for many years.

GMO Debate Continues as Studies of Herbicides Reveal Chronic Health Problems
Despite new studies proving glyphosate to be a harmful herbicide, the FDA has increased the limits allowed in fruits and vegetables — empowering Monsanto and refreshing the GMO debate.

Roundup Is Toxic to Good Bacteria in Soil
Scientists are finding many negative impacts caused by the glyphosate used on Roundup-Ready GM crops.

The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified foods and crops pose serious threats to human and animal health, but Big Ag doesn’t want you to know that.

Pesticide Use Rises as Herbicide-Resistant Weeds Undermine Performance of Major GM Crops
A new Washington State University study shows that the emergence and spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds is strongly correlated with the upward swing in pesticide use.

The Crazy New Research on Roundup
A popular chemical sprayed onto lawns and food crops all across the country may cause a catastrophic situation in your gut.

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​Studies of cancer among farm workers are difficult to conduct and interpret given the unique nature of this occupational group. The transitory nature of the work, high levels of poverty, and lack of legal documentation make epidemiologic studies difficult to accomplish. Nevertheless, this workforce in the United States, which numbers as much as 3 million persons, is a high-risk population due to exposures to numerous toxic substances, including excessive sunlight, heat, dangerous machinery, fumes, fertilizers, dust, and pesticides. We summarize characteristics of farm workers (i.e., demographics, health care) from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) and the California Agricultural Workers Survey (CAWS) and present findings from a series of studies conducted among farm workers in California. The epidemiology literature was reviewed and methods for a unique farm worker union-based epidemiologic study are presented. Farm workers in California and the rest of the United States, many of whom are seasonal and migrant workers are at elevated risk for numerous forms of cancer compared to the general population and specific pesticides may be associated with this altered risk. Elevated risks have been found for lymphomas and prostate, brain, leukemia, cervix, and stomach cancers.

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Are the full body protective suits not enough of a tip off that pesticides are toxic? If not, consider this: Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide – the most widely used and best-selling herbicide in the U.S. and one of the world’s most popular weed-killers – has been labeled a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
 
The decision was made by IARC, the France-based cancer research arm of the World Health Organization, which considered the status of five insect and weed killers including glyphosate, which is used globally in industrial farming.
 
As reported by The Lancet:
 
“In March, 2015, 17 experts from 11 countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC; Lyon, France) to assess the carcinogenicity of the organophosphate pesticides tetrachlorvinphos, parathion, malathion, diazinon, and glyphosate (table). These assessments will be published as volume 112 of the IARC Monographs.”
pesticide_research_table
 
After analysis, it was determined that glyphosate falls into the 2nd level of concern (mainly at industrial use) of 4 levels for possible cancer-causing substances. The 4 levels are:
Known carcinogens,
Probable or possible carcinogens (where glyphosate stands)
Not classifiable
Probably not carcinogenic
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would consider the French agency’s evaluation. But given US government agencies’ decisions and political ties, hope is dismal that they will do anything to limit its use. The EPA’s 2012 assessment of glyphosate concluded that it met the statutory safety standards and that the chemical could “continue to be used without unreasonable risks to people or the environment.”
 
Though the agency analyzed numerous weed killers, glyphosate, being one of the most popular, is of greater concern. This active ingredient found in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide currently holds the highest production volumes of any herbicide, used in more than 750 different products. Unfortunately, its use has skyrocketed in recent years due to the development of herbicide-resistant genetically modified crops – made to withstand copious amounts of herbicide spraying.
 
pesticide_mask_chemical_crop – CopyThough the ill effects from glyphosate exposure are most said to be concerning for occupational workers, tests revealing how ubiquitous the chemical really is should pave way for widespread concern.
 
Not only has glyphosate been detected in the air, in the water, and in our food, but it is also showing up in humans – despite the claims from Monsanto that the chemical is excreted from our bodies. Numerous studies have shown that not only is it causing numerous health problems, but it is showing up in urine samples, blood samples, and even breast milk. This is concerning.
 
“Glyphosate has been detected in the blood and urine of agricultural workers, indicating absorption. Soil microbes degrade glyphosate to aminomethylphosphoric acid (AMPA). Blood AMPA detection after poisonings suggests intestinal microbial metabolism in humans. Glyphosate and glyphosate formulations induced DNA and chromosomal damage in mammals, and in human and animal cells in vitro.
 
One study reported increases in blood markers of chromosomal damage (micronuclei) in residents of several communities after spraying of glyphosate formulations. Bacterial mutagenesis tests were negative. Glyphosate, glyphosate formulations, and AMPA induced oxidative stress in rodents and in vitro. The Working Group classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
 
Needless to say, Roundup creator and biotech giant Monsanto strongly disagreed with the decision.
 
“All labeled uses of glyphosate are safe for human health,” said Phil Miller, a Monsanto spokesman, in a statement.

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​Law360, New York (September 23, 2015, 7:13 PM ET) — A former California field worker has slapped Monsanto with a lawsuit in federal court, claiming the primary active ingredient in Roundup weed killer and known carcinogen, glyphosate, caused her to develop bone cancer over years of exposure.
 
A suit claims Monsanto’s popular Roundup herbicide caused a 38-year-old to develio bone cancer. (Credit: AP) Enrique Rubio, who gathered vegetables in California, Oregon and Texas from 1986 to 1995 and sprayed them with Roundup and other chemicals, says repeated exposure to Missouri-based Monsanto’s most popular herbicide led her to develop bone cancer in 1995 at 38 years old, according to Tuesday’s complaint.
 
During her time as a field worker, Rubio said she drove a tractor and used a hand pump to spray crops with the herbicide, often at a rate of two days per week year-round, with nothing more than a paper face mask to protect her from the chemicals.
 
Considering Monsanto’s “prolonged campaign of misinformation” claiming Roundup is safe for animals, humans and the environment, Rubio’s lawyers said her condition is a result of the company’s willful and negligent actions and that there was no way she could have “reasonably discovered” the health risk Roundup presented.
 
“Agricultural workers are, once again, victims of corporate greed,” the complaint said. “Monsanto assured the public that Roundup was harmless. In order to prove this, Monsanto championed falsified data and attacked legitimate studies that revealed its dangers.”
 
The complaint claims the Environmental Protection found that two laboratories hired by Monsanto to purportedly test the toxicity of its Roundup products for federal registration regularly falsified testing data, but in spite of this, the company was allowed to market the herbicide in 115 countries, including the United States.
 
Since the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer released a study earlier this year designating glyphosate as an herbicide “probably carcinogenic to humans,” Rubio’s lawyers said Monsanto can no longer deny the health effects of Roundup.
 
Due to IARC’s findings, the California Environmental Protection Agency announced in early September that it would officially list glyphosate as a known carcinogen under the state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
 
“For nearly 40 years, farms across the world have used Roundup without knowing of the dangers its use poses … because when Monsanto first introduced Roundup, it touted glyphosate as a technological breakthrough: it could kill almost every weed without causing harm either to people or to the environment,” the complaint said. “Of course, history has shown that not to be true.”
 
Rubio’s lawyers claim that Monsanto has known from the outset that Roundup is harmful to humans and the environment, but continues to claim “particularly to United States consumers” that glyphosate-based herbicides pose no unreasonable risk.
 
The suit is accusing Monsanto of strict liability over a known design defect that could have been made less harmful and of failure to warn consumers of the full hazards in dealing with Roundup, along with willful negligence and breach of implied warranty.
 
Due to Monsanto’s production and promotion of Roundup, the suit claims Rubio “has suffered and continues to suffer grave injuries” including economic hardship and considerable expenditures on medical treatment that will only continue.
 
Since being diagnosed in 1995, Rubio became disabled and is unable to work, according to the complaint.
 
Monsanto intends to “vigorously” defend itself in the case and believes “glyphosate is safe for human health when used as labeled,” company representative Charla Lord said Wednesday
 
“Decades of experience within agriculture and regulatory reviews using the most extensive worldwide human health databases ever compiled on an agricultural product contradict the claims in the suit,” Lord said.
 
Rubio is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and payment of legal costs, according to the complaint.
 
Rubio is represented by Christopher B. Dalbey, Robin L. Greenwald and Maja Lukic of Weitz & Luxenberg PC and Hunter W. Lundy, Matthew E. Lundy and Kristie M. Hightower of Lundy Lundy Soileau & South LLP.
 
The case is Rubio v. Monsanto Company, case number 2:15-cv-07426, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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Getting into a legal battle with some entity can be daunting. Between the paperwork, court appearances, and legal fees, there is an enormous amount of time and work that goes into filing a suit.
 
Whether you’ve been thrust into a dispute by someone or you’re serving some justice of your own, the lawyer you choose will either make or break you in the courtroom.
 
Choosing the right lawyer doesn’t have to be difficult, but you may not even know where to start. These five essential qualities your lawyer should have are some quick tips for finding the best lawyer to represent you.
 
Speech
Lawyers are in the business of debate. If your lawyer is speaking over your head or unable to articulate their point to you, how well do you think they will do convincing a judge and jury?
 
Listening
It will quickly become evident upon your first meeting with a lawyer whether or not they are listening to you. By not listening they could be missing out on crucial details of your situation. After meeting with your lawyer if you don’t feel heard it’s time to find someone else.
 
Judgement
Your lawyer should have the insight and decisiveness to inform you of your best course of action. When tough choices are presented and your lawyer is on the fence this will only add to your stress, not alleviate it.
 
Experience
Don’t be shy about asking for references. A good lawyer will have many clients and cases available that clearly show their merit.
 
Rapport
The practice of law is all about working with people. You should feel comfortable with your lawyer, and they should be personable toward you. Having this with your lawyer is essential to establishing a positive working relationship.
 
If you are seeking legal advice please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re always here to help, and no challenge is too big or too small for our excellent team of attorneys to handle.
 
About Lundy, Lundy, Soileau & South
 
Louisiana based law firm Lundy, Lundy, Soileau & South , an AV rated law firm by Martindale-Hubbell and is widely regarded as one of the premier litigation firms in the US. They have achieved extraordinary success for their clients across Louisiana and throughout the United States.

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