Explained: Do Glyphosate-based herbicides cause cancer?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015 has classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.

Explained Glyphosatebased-herbicides-cause-cancer Roundup

As the summer heats up in North America, gardeners are planting new saplings and pulling out wild grass and weeds. People with home gardens are also working on the looks of their gardens. Hence, weed killers such as Roundup are used.

But, the main concern here is that weed killers like Roundup consist of Glyphosate as a key ingredient that causes cancer. Several studies link glyphosate herbicides to cancer and other health problems. Also, the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015 has classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.

Here have a look at glyphosate’s use and what happens on its exposure to lawns, parks or food.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a synthetic herbicide, invented by the Monsanto Company in 1974. It is now manufactured and distributed by hundreds of firms. As per a 2016 study, it is the most widely used pesticide.

It is well known as the active ingredient of Roundup branded herbicides. It is also used with "Roundup Ready” genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

According to a 2017 study, Americans' exposure to glyphosate has increased by 500% since Roundup Ready GMO crops were launched in the United States in 1996. In the United States, no pesticide has come near to such extensive and widespread use.

Also Read: India Pesticides shares lists at 21% premium over IPO price

Where is Glyohsate used?

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides used in Roundup, Rodeo and Pondmaster used by farmers during food production. It is often used in fruit and vegetable crops along with plantings, lawns, greenhouses, aquatic plants and forest plantings.

What happens if you are exposed to it?

If you use glyphosate-containing weed killer on your lawn or garden, you may be exposed to glyphosate by inhalation, contact with your skin, or ingestion.

On exposure to glyphosate, eyes, skin, nose and throat can become irritated. The exposure could cause moderate irritation or superficial corneal injury. 

If you consume it, you may feel increased saliva and burns along with pain in your mouth and throat. It has the potential to produce nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

A few cases have been reported, in which people intentionally swallowing glyphosate-based products have lost their lives.

To lower the risk, wash your hands and wash your clothes after using such harmful products.

Exposer of glyphosate in food

Farmers use glyphosate-based products in fields and orchards and spray them on crops like corn and soybeans that are genetically engineered to withstand glyphosate, also known as GMOs. They also spray it on non-GMO crops like wheat, barley, oats, and beans.

Can it cause cancer?

In the last two years, three US juries have handed down multimillion-dollar verdicts to plaintiffs who claimed that glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Roundup, caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, immune-system cancer.

However, there is no exact answer to whether glyphosate causes cancer in humans yet, and the question has sparked a holy debate. Meanwhile, International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a likely human carcinogen in 2015. This decision was based on ‘limited’ evidence of cancer in humans from actual real-world exposures and "adequate" evidence of cancer in experimental animals.


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