Roundup is the most widely used pesticide in the world due to its use on “Roundup Ready” genetically modified crops and its ubiquitous use by parks, municipalities, schools and homeowners as a weed killer.
Worldwide, more than 10 million tons are sprayed annually on food crops and unwanted weeds. I haven’t checked, but I think it’s also one of the most heavily advertised products on TV.
It’s hard to imagine anyone not familiar with the commercial of the poor dandelion that was seeded by nature in a driveway crack and how a blast of Roundup killed it on the spot! Now, that’s a responsible homeowner!
But there is always another side to the story when we are talking pesticides.
Over the past 35 years, multiple studies have shown that glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, is a probable human carcinogen. In 2015, even the World Health Organization’s cancer agency confirmed this designation. The most common cancer associated with Roundup is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Studies also show that some of the inert chemicals in the product amplify the toxic effect of glyphosate on human cells, even at diluted or trace concentrations. Roundup has been shown to cause neurological damage, diabetes, liver and kidney disease and multiple sclerosis, as well as interfere with reproduction and fetal growth.
So why, you may wonder, is this dangerous product still on the market?
Let’s start with Monsanto’s disinformation campaign to hide its weed killer’s links to cancer.
Monsanto (and now Bayer, which purchased Monsanto last year) systematically discredit the independent scientists and journalists reporting on the science and roll out their PR machine and lobbyists in what is essentially a reputation management campaign. It buys scientists, promotes the work of friendly journalists and convinces our own EPA and FDA to carry its message to consumers that all is well with Roundup.
But all the spin in the world can’t stop the lawsuits. Recently, there have been three high profile cases, all involving people who had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who had used Roundup in their respective occupations for decades. In each case, the jury ruled against Monsanto/Bayer.
The awards were in the millions – and even billions – of dollars, and there are an estimated 13,000 lawsuits waiting in the wings. Bayer’s top management is being rebuked by shareholders over the Monsanto acquisition and the litigation it inherited. This story will surely unfold over the next year or so – stay tuned.
The more important story is the one about how glyphosate is now being found in concerning levels in many of our foods, especially those made from GM crops. From Goldfish Crackers to Oreos, Cheerios to Stacy’s Pita Chips, grocery store shelves contain foods that have worrisome levels of the chemical. And as we continue to advance in the area of genetic engineering for food with its dependence on the heavy use of pesticides, we are looking at a growing resistance problem similar to antibiotic resistance.
Actually, it’s already happening. “Roundup Ready” genetically engineered glyphosate- tolerant crops are designed to survive being sprayed with Roundup while the non-GM plants and weeds around the crop die.
However, nature has adapted to this chemical assault, and now Roundup is being replaced with a combination product containing glyphosate and 2, 4-D, another, more toxic herbicide, also with links to human cancers and other diseases.
Your best way to control the amount of GM glyphosate contaminated foods you eat is to look for the USDA organic label or Non-GMO Project Verified label, buy from local organic farmers or grow your own!
Next time you look at the weeds growing in your driveway, please try to avoid going down to your local store for a gallon of Roundup.
A colleague and Canadian pesticide expert says it best… “Why would anyone spray chemical poisons in a neighborhood, where the only crop people are trying to grow is children?”
Alternatives that work just as well and cause no damage to the environment or our health include a product called “BurnOut,” made from citric acid and clove oil, or a propane weed burner.
Another novel weed killing device I just came across is a high intensity LED light at the end of a wand.
Here on Long Island where we are already in crisis over the contamination of our drinking water, we have to be especially aware that whatever we disperse into the environment will eventually find its way into our aquifers.
Bayer must be put down. It is a rabid evil thing.
Not saying anything you say here is inaccurate but having worked with the EPA, you cannot convince them to rule your way of thinking. They have the numerous studies conducted by legitimate companies and they strictly go by the studies reviewing each study.
I am not saying Round Up is safe – I do not know but I do know EPA is very strict in their review of all pesticides.
Retired contractor and I can assure you don’t want to get on the EPA s bad side. Tough agency, tough standards, although I always don’t agree with them. If this article is somewhat correct then food prices will go up.
I have this product but rarely use it. What do you suggest. How do you dispose of it, and is there another product? Ben McGee
We all know the short answer to why it’s still on the market ~
money talks (and corrupt people can be bought)! ?
I pour boiling water from a tea kettle on my weeds to kill them.
I think it’s amazing that Roundup is still on the market. Just because you don’t immediately see the adverse effects does not mean that they do not exist. These unseen chemicals affect our food which affect our children . It affects the pollinators which support life. We should care we should do something about it! They need to be stopped.
In agree. My husband leukemia over 2 yrars and 3 months..
Year’s
I feel like the reality is this
COVID-19 is in the air. We can hope and pray through our common sense we don’t get it. .
My husband in 2004 knew nothing about the product and assisted his sister who’s husband had a massive heart attack. He was mixing and using round up very properly. Years later. Stage 1 CLL. IT MJST BE STOPPED FROM BEING SOLD PERIOD.
My husband also has CLL. He used Roundup for years.
I also question why it is still sold but not from an environmentalist standpoint. Now, it’s no longer effective and whatever is was that made it work has been removed from the formula, at least in California. I bought some recently and applied it to crabgrass in a very localized and windless fashion. I may as well have sprayed plain water on it as it was completely useless and didn’t phase the crabgrass in the least. The same can be said for Raid, the insecticide which, years ago, was very effective in controlling ant/roach infestations and re-occurrences. Now it merely drowns the ants them and does nothing to keep them away later. The bugs re-enter an hour later over the same path where the Raid was sprayed. Completely useless products still being sold. Go figure…
There are so many natural products as effective and not harmful to you or your environment like 20% vinegar weedkiller. Good luck researching.
why does walmart sell roundup weed snd grass killer . i used it on my weeds and grass like he said it doesnt work very good on crabgrass it works on my weeds a little but im not buying anymore roundup . they advartize on the tv about round up kills weeds grass .why in the world would they do it?
“I’ve made a list of sports teams and issued them out as followed “i have the miami heat “miley cyrus has the new york yankees “the island now “and this message pulling the island now “in to read has the miami Dolphins “in order to be removed from the dolphins “you have to sit aside “for mine” 10billion dollars from the lawsuit settlement for round up “which makes it mine”,”ill be getting it piece by piece “Espeono Edition”,”and erase this comment immediately,”doing this “has the florida panthers.
“End of gnosis”
It just infuriates me that known poisons like this that cause cancer and many other illnesses is allowed to be sold to humans that is he government is to protect. They want money for cancer research to find a cure for cancer, the cure for cancer is take all the stuff off the market that causes it, that’s the cure.
You tree huggers would ban everything if you could. If you want food, you need pesticides, it’s as simple as that.
I laugh at you tree huggers because how many of you smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol or take drugs? How many of you drive cars? How many of you use electricity? All of you, is the answer.
I once saw a tree hugger do an interview about baby seals being killed. She was outside ranting and raving and just then an insect flew on her face. What do you think she did? She swatted at it trying to kill it, just like everyone else would do!!!
The answer for you tree huggers is always the same — sue industries and put them out of business so many people lose their jobs. Sue! Sue! Sue!!
Lawyers — who are the most crooked people in this country, by the way — love you because you line their pockets with millions of dollars.
Get this and get it straight! Humans are the most important thing on this planet and if you tree huggers keep on suing everyone there is over everything there is, there won’t be any more humans left to sue!!
I find it interesting that often Liberals and others worship every word the EPA utters as gospel especially when it’s under the control of a Liberal POTUS. The minute it goes against the disinformation and revisionist theology. Then the EPA must be corrupt and that money is controlling what they are saying. That’s just deceptive thinking. Now obviously as the EPA points out in the attached. Using any hazardous chemical even water can cause injury and or death. In this case they say if you follow the manufactures directions they(EPA) could not find any correlation of cancer and Roundup. However once the Ambulance chasing Lawyers and suit happy fools got wind of a potential windfall. Here they came running. Why were their so many awards giver to plaintiffs? Well it certainly has noting to do with any criminal acts by roundup. It’s just cheaper to hand a few thousand here and there after the original cases handled by Liberal courts and Judges threw out science for feelings. You can drown is three inches of water should we ban water or any container deeper than two inches?
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate