Who knew that weed-killers may kill humans too? Well, WHO knows. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a French research organization affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO), Glyphosate, a popular herbicide used in products such as Roundup, is “probably” carcinogenic to humans according to a study published March 20 in The Lancet Oncology medical journal. This designation is one step down from being labeled a “known carcinogen.”
This information appears to contradict the decades-old ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding the use of Glyphosate “safe” for use by consumers and agricultural workers. Numerous crops have been genetically modified to endure being sprayed with the herbicide, and its use has only increased over the years. The EPA even approved a new Dow Chemical herbicide product, Enlist Duo, which blends Glyphosate with another herbicide, 2, 4-D.
A group of consumer advocates and environmental organizations, including the Center for Food Safety and the Environmental Working Group, are now calling upon the EPA to reverse its decision regarding Glyphosate, citing human and ecological costs.
“Millions of acres of American farmland are being sprayed every year, and the U.S. Geological Survey has detected this ‘probable human carcinogen’ in rain, streams and air in areas where it is heavily used. It is very likely that millions of Americans inhale glyphosate during the application season. The chemical also likely contaminates rivers, lakes and reservoirs that serve as drinking water sources for millions of Americans. When ‘Roundup ready’ genetically engineered crops were introduced into commercial use roughly two decades ago, they were sold on the promise that they would require far less herbicide. That turned out to be an empty promise,” the groups stated in a letter addressed to EPA head Gina McCarthy.
“No argument by the manufacturers and users of glyphosate should trump the conclusion that this toxic herbicide probably causes cancer in people… As the EPA moves forward with its risk assessment of glyphosate in its duty to protect human and environmental health, we urge the agency to strongly weigh this action by the World Health Organization, and consider whether immediate use restrictions are necessary to protect human health and the environment.”
Monsanto Company, manufacturer of Glyphosate, is not only refuting the IARC findings, they are calling upon the WHO to “provide transparency” regarding the IARC study.
“We are outraged with this assessment. This conclusion is inconsistent with the decades of ongoing comprehensive reviews by the leading regulatory authorities around the world that have concluded that all labeled uses of glyphosate are safe for human health. This result was reached by selective ‘cherry picking’ of data and is a clear example of agenda-driven bias,” said Monsanto Chief technology Officer Dr. Robb Fraley in a recent press release.
“Safety is the top priority for every person who works at Monsanto. Glyphosate-based herbicides on the market meet the rigorous standards set by the regulatory and health authorities who work every day to protect human health, and we want our customers and consumers to be assured of these evaluations… IARC’s process is not transparent, its decision is irresponsible, and it has the potential to cause confusion about such an important issue as safety.”
Nearly 20 experts from 11 different countries around the world worked on the IARC assessment of Glyphosate as a possible human carcinogen.
