Roundup / Glyphosate
Herbicides (or weed killers) have been used in the United States for decades, often without thought or recourse. There are a variety of ways in which the average person can be exposed to these substances. If you’ve ever gardened, you know what a battle it is to keep weeds out, and you’ve probably purchased one of several herbicide products meant to kill the offending sprouts. If you’re a landscaper, you’ve likely been exposed to commercial herbicides. Or you might be part of the sizable portion of the population that has bought and consumed produce that potentially contained harmful herbicides and other chemicals.
These substances are effective at controlling the spread of unwanted plants, like weeds. However, herbicides also pose serious health risks and problems for those that use or are exposed to them long-term.
Products that contain glyphosate, such as Roundup, have been associated with cancer and other serious health issues. But those that develop health problems due to long-term Roundup exposure shouldn’t sit back and deal with it on their own. If you have suffered after exposure to a weed killer, you likely have the right to go after the weed killer manufacturer for compensation for expensive medical bills, missed time at work, and personal damages. Experienced legal counsel can help you secure the best possible results.
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Roundup Exposure Symptoms
If you have been exposed to Roundup or other forms of glyphosate, you may experience symptoms such as trouble breathing, swelling in the abdomen, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, nose bleeds, bone pain, and more. If any of these symptoms arise, you seek medical attention right away.
In addition to people who use the herbicide, those who eat crops that Roundup is used on, or drink water that is contaminated by Roundup, are also at risk. Common crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans are commonly sprayed with Roundup to help them grow.
What Is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. In other words, it is a chemical that inhibits plant growth enzymes. This makes glyphosate extremely effective at killing unwanted plants.
The Monsanto Company discovered glyphosate in 1970. Four years later, it created the brand Roundup. Monsanto patented glyphosate, making the chemical exclusive to Roundup until the patent expired in 2000. Since then, many other herbicides have come to include glyphosate in their list of ingredients.
It didn’t take long for farmers to buy into the obvious benefits of using weed killers like glyphosate on their crops. Its effectiveness as a “selective herbicide” allowed farmers to spray the product liberally, as it killed certain weeds while not killing crops. Landscape companies and other industries that deal with weed control also quickly got on board.
Glyphosate has been the most used herbicide in the U.S. agricultural sector and second-most used herbicide in home and garden, government, and commercial applications for decades. There was a massive increase in its use from the 70s to the first several decades of the 21st century.
Though government regulatory bodies approve glyphosate and formulations like Roundup, there are significant concerns about its effects on humans and the environment. Several studies have resulted in contradictory reports around glyphosate, with some studies claiming it doesn’t cause serious health problems. A 2015 study indicated that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic in humans.”
Glyphosate Poisoning
Products like Roundup that contain glyphosate may produce health problems. You can be exposed to glyphosate via contact with the skin, eyes, or inhaling it. While using Roundup once or twice a year for weed mitigation may not cause any substantial health problems, some studies indicate long-term exposure is dangerous.
Those who apply significant amounts of the product (like farmers or landscapers) experience elevated risk factors. Even if glyphosate doesn’t come into contact with your skin or eyes directly, you may still breathe in the powerful chemical. Exposure can also occur if you touch plants that are still wet with glyphosate or you ingest something before washing your hands after using Roundup.
Animal and human studies by government regulatory agencies in the United States and Canada have indicated that a link between glyphosate and cancer does not exist. However, a similar study conducted by the World Health Organization’s Internal Agency for Research of Cancer argued those claims and found the chemical is more than likely carcinogenic.
Glyphosate poisoning remains a hotly debated issue, with people taking stances on both sides. Regardless, many people have successfully sued Roundup for containing glyphosate, which has been connected to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
What Is Roundup?
Roundup is a brand name for products that contain the active ingredient glyphosate, a chemical compound that functions as an herbicide and crop desiccant. It’s actually among the most used herbicides in the world. Unfortunately, while the use of Roundup has proven effective for protecting crops from weeds, the compound has also been proven to be extremely dangerous for humans.
Simply being near an area sprayed with Roundup can cause serious health problems, and those that use or are exposed to the compound regularly can develop a variety of diseases including, but not limited to:
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- B-Cell Lymphoma
- Hairy Cell Leukemia
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The Monsanto Company originally produced Roundup, but Bayer acquired the company and took ownership of the product in 2018. Roundup proved immensely successful for Monsanto for decades after the company developed and patented the glyphosate molecule in the 1970s.
Roundup is like other herbicides in that it has been connected to a range of adverse health effects from skin rashes to cancer—and even death. Long-term exposure to the compound can result from direct consumption, improper application of Roundup, and even unwanted consumption in food.
Makers of herbicides like Roundup have been caught making misleading or false claims about the safety of their products. For example, the Monsanto Company was forced to change its advertising after the brand claimed the herbicide was “practically non-toxic” to mammals, birds, and fish.
Secure Compensation for Roundup & Glyphosate Exposure
If you or a loved one contracted cancer or experienced other health issues after exposure to Roundup, contact an attorney today. You deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At Stewart & Stewart, we are devoted to you and your family, and we’ll fight until you get what you deserve. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help with your claim.
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