Is Roundup Dangerous?

Anyone with a garden experiences issues with weeds. Many turn to weed-killing chemicals such as Roundup to keep the weeds under control, using it liberally. However, recent research has revealed significant health dangers associated with excessive Roundup exposure.

What Is Roundup?

Roundup is one of the most common herbicides that people use around the world. People usually use it to kill weeds in gardens, roadsides, railways, sidewalks, and any other areas that weeds are overtaking.

Roundup is made with glyphosate, water, and surfactant. Glyphosate makes up a large portion of the substance. It is a phosphonate that people use to kill weeds and grasses. Manufacturers add surfactant to the substance to help it stay on the weed long enough to kill it. Though Roundup is an approved substance, scientists have discovered many health hazards associated with it.

Risks of Roundup

Though Roundup is a quick and easy way to clear an area of weeds, it brings significant health downsides. Like many other chemicals, scientists have linked exposure to Roundup to many illnesses and diseases, some of which include:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Birth defects
• Celiac Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Reproductive Problems
• Hypothyroidism
• Heart Disease
• Liver Disease
• Depression
• Colitis
• Cancer

Largely due to the significant presence of glyphosate, research has specifically linked heavy Roundup exposure to various kinds of cancer. Some of the types of cancer associated with Roundup include:

• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer
• Blood cancer

People Most at Risk

Because countless people all over the world use Roundup, almost everyone suffers exposure at some point. You may become exposed to Roundup simply by walking around your neighborhood. However, it is unlikely that you will develop any of the illnesses and diseases associated with Roundup without extensive exposure, putting certain people at a higher risk of contracting the illnesses or developing diseases.

One of the groups that is especially vulnerable to the hazards of Roundup is farmers. Farmers and field workers often work directly with Roundup, using large amounts of it frequently. Farmers with smaller crop fields report using 50 to 70 gallons a year. The number is significantly higher for people running large farms. The direct and frequent contact with Roundup puts farmers and field workers at a high risk for developing some of the illnesses and diseases associated with Roundup.

If a parent dealt with extensive Roundup exposure at some point, research has revealed that his or her children are twice as likely to develop brain cancer. Scientists have discovered that Roundup has a negative effect on DNA cells, impeding their ability to function and develop normally and increasing the chances of cancer.

Controversies Surrounding Roundup

Though the damaging health effects of Roundup are now proven, it is an approved herbicide without stringent regulations. There are multiple reasons why the opinions about Roundup are more complex than they seem:

• The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization and WHO receive backing and funding from some pesticide manufacturers.
• A California judge released emails that proved that company employees wrote portions of the research on the dangers of glyphosate, using the names of established and respected academics in an effort to increase believability.
• A senior official from the Environmental Protection Agency is facing accusations of helping a Roundup company employee get in the way of cancer studies
• A WebMD director has been accused of receiving payment from a Roundup manufacturer to promote a positive image for Roundup to the public.