suhrelaw | August 23, 2019 | Uncategorized

In March 2015 a group of experts met at International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to review the available published scientific evidence and evaluate the carcinogenicity of five organophosphate insecticides and herbicides: diazinon, glyphosate, malathion, parathion, and tetrachlorvinphos. The IARC evaluations revealed that the herbicide glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, was “probably carcinogenic to humans”.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) performs a variety of activities related to the protection of human health from toxic effects of pesticides. Activities include education and outreach to health care professionals, local health officers and the general public; surveillance of pesticide illness and injury; evaluation of pesticide toxicity date and human exposure; and development of regulations on agricultural worker health and safety.

In March 2017, OEHHA posted a notice on its website that glyphosate would be added to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 with a delayed effective date due to the pending case Monsanto v. OEHHA.

While Monsanto’s challenge was unsuccessful in trial court, they have appealed. On July 7, 2017, glyphosate was added to the Proposition 65 list as known to the state of California to cause cancer. This required Monsanto to add new warnings to their label of products sold in the state of California.

Hundreds of plaintiffs have filed against Monsanto as it relates to the connection of cancer and the widely used weed killer, Roundup. In the United States, litigation has grown substantially.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is an herbicide. It is applied to plants and grass. The sodium salt form of glyphosate is used to regulate plant growth and ripen specific crops. Registered in the United States in 1974, glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides across the Nation. In 2005 in Kentucky, the Groundwater Brand of the Kentucky Division of water collected and analyzed hundreds of samples from wells and springs. This pesticide sample was gathered because it is one of the most commonly used pesticide in Kentucky. Surrounding states like Ohio and Indiana have been exposed to the widespread use of pesticides.

The United State Geological Survey data shows a map of estimated agricultural use for glyphosate, the main ingredient found in Roundup.

What is Roundup?

Roundup is the brand name of a glyphosate-based herbicide originally produced by Monsanto. This product is probably in your garage or has been used on your lawn. So how does it work? When the herbicide comes in contact with a weed, it targets an enzyme for plant growth. Roundup is used nationwide on acres of farmland containing our corn and soy sources. Introduced to the market in 1974, it is estimated that glyphosate is used in hundreds of countries, with over 1 billion pounds applied per year.

Roundup and Cancer – the Link

Individuals filing Roundup cancer lawsuits against Monsanto claim that Monsanto was aware of the potential cancer risk associated with their product as early as the 1980s. In March 1985, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Toxicology Branch classified glyphosate as a Category C oncogene. In 1991, the EPA reevaluated and changed the classification to a Group E (evidence of non-carcinogenicity in humans). It noted, however, “that designation of an agent in Group E is based on the available evidence at the time of the evaluation and should not be interpreted as a definitive conclusion that the agent will not be carcinogen under any circumstances.” The findings of the IARC and the EPA seem contradictory. The EPA states that glyphosate chemical and its related acid and salt compounds are currently undergoing registration review, a program that re-evaluates all pesticides on a 15-year cycle.

Despite the evidence, Monsanto maintains that glyphosate and Roundup are safe for use and non-carcinogenic.

Am I at Risk?

For decades, homeowners and workers have used Monsanto’s Roundup as a go-to for their weeds, plants, florals and agricultural needs. Individuals who may have been exposed to or worked with the dangerous glyphosate pesticide include:

• Famers or agricultural related professionals
• Nursery or garden center employees
• Landscapers or groundskeepers

Exposure to Roundup

Individuals exposed to the chemical glyphosate found in Roundup were likely to come in contact if it was on your skin, your eyes or inhaled while using. Examples include: eating, drinking or smoking without washing your hands of the herbicide, touching plants that are still wet with the Roundup spray, accidental inhalation during application or accidental oral exposure. The lack of safety gear could significantly increase your risk of exposure to glyphosate.

Symptoms Associated with Roundup 

The rate of exposure to the pesticide, glyphosate, found in Roundup can determine the symptoms and risks you may experience. Increased risks of developing certain cancers may include:

• Non-Hodgin’s lymphoma (NHL)
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Leukemia
• B-cell lymphoma

To learn more about the types of cancer and how cancer starts, visit the American Cancer Society’s website.

Roundup Cancer Lawsuits

Hundreds of individuals have filed Roundup cancer lawsuits against Monsanto. If you have been experiencing the symptoms linked to the glyphosate exposure, then you may be suffer from Roundup-related cancer. The first step is to seek a medical professional assessment to determine a proper diagnosis. If you were exposed to Roundup and received a cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible to file for a Roundup cancer lawsuit.

Although no amount of compensation can remove the emotional and negative experiences you may have suffered from Roundup-related cancer, our firm hopes to alleviate those financial burdens and restore the losses associated with the glyphosate exposure. Joseph Suhre is now investigating these cases and welcomes you to call us today at (855) 853-6292 or fill out a contact form now for a free case evaluation.