Roundup Lawsuit
Herbicide Roundup Linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Cancer)
Many people are familiar with the herbicide called Roundup, which was developed in the 1970s and used to kill a variety of weeds that threatened crops including corn, cotton, and soybeans. Capable of achieving this goal of destroying weeds, Roundup was used by a large number of businesses and private residences. In the last few years, however, there has been outbreak of reports about adverse health effects experienced by people who have used Roundup.
Damage Caused by Roundup
Roundup’s main ingredient, glyphosate, has been linked to the development of certain types of B-Cell Lymphomas (cancer), such as:
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
- Follicular lymphoma
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
- Hairy cell leukemia (HCL)
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Marginal zone B-cell lymphomas
The people who are most at risk of developing these types of cancer include individuals who worked in particular garden-oriented positions including garden center workers, landscapers, and nursery employees.
Evidence supporting the deadly nature of glyphosate in Roundup has been supported by several leading medical agencies. Relying on a study that analyzed animal studies and epidemiological studies, The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has stated that glyphosate “probably” is able to create adverse health effects in human beings. The American Cancer Society has also released material claiming that evidence suggests glyphosate is linked to increased risk of certain types of cancer including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
What is in Roundup?
Glyphosate in Roundup blocks an enzyme that plants need to survive and without access to this enzyme the plants quickly die. Not only does Roundup contain Glyphosate, Roundup also contains 59% of other unnamed ingredients. These other ingredients help introduce Glyphosate into the plant. One of the most common ingredients found in Roundup is called POEA, which is a toxic substance to aquatic animals. The combination of POEA and Glyphosate makes Roundup particularly deadly.
It is also important to understand that Roundup was first manufactured as a Chelator, which is a chemical compound that reacts with metal ions to form a stable, water-soluble substance.
More specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency has listed 14 ways in which Roundup could be deadly, which include:
- Chelators inhibit DNA repair.
- Chelators make foods deficient for certain vital minerals in the human body.
- Chelators greatly increase the chances of tumors growing inside the human body.
- Chelators often damage a person’s kidney or pancreas, which cause tumors to begin growing inside of a person’s body.
- Glyphosate causes free radical formation in the human body, which can lead to cancer.
- Glyphosate is genotoxic, which is a key mechanism in causing cancer.
- Glyphosate kills bacteria in the human gut, which makes up a large amount of the human body’s immune system.
In March 2015 the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer made a public statement identifying glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” linking the compound to cancer.
Furthermore in the spring of 2017 the state of California’s Office of Environmental Health hazard Assessment announced that they would be adding the herbicide, glyphosate, to California’s list of chemicals that can cause cancer.
California became the first state to require warning labels to be placed on not just Roundup but all similar herbicides that contain glyphosate. Since then, various states have begun to recognize the substantial danger posed by Roundup. Monsanto, the company that produces Roundup, will have just one year to add the appropriate warning labels to Roundup bottles.
Consult with an Experienced Attorney
If you’ve used or have been in contact with Roundup and have been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, leukemia, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma contact the trusted legal counsel at Harding Mazzotti, LLP, for a FREE no obligation consultation. Our team is here to help 24/7 to help you get the compensation you deserve for the damage caused by Roundup.