Roundup
Toxic Chemical Found in Weed Killers Linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Weeds are a challenge for many of us. Most of us are familiar with the struggle to remove these nuisances from our yards each year. One of the most common ways to deal with weeds is by using an herbicide, such as Monsanto’s Roundup. We know these chemicals do their job in getting rid of weeds, but are they safe for us? Recent studies show this may not be the case.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research of Cancer released a report sharing that glyphosate, an active chemical commonly found in herbicides, is linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). Other studies show that farmworkers in the U.S. have a 60% chance increased risk of developing NHL due to their likely exposure to glyphosate.
Additionally, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxicology department investigated glyphosate in 1985 and determined that it was a possible carcinogen. This means that glyphosate based herbicides have been used by millions of users for years without the knowledge of the potential health ramifications.
Those who have been exposed to glyphosate for 8 hours or more are most at risk. Occupations with the highest risk include:
- Farmworkers
- Landscapers
- Gardeners
- Nursery employees
- Garden center employees