Herbicides are an integral part of weed management. There’s one brand name that is likely to crop up in every conversation on herbicides — Roundup. Roundup, which was first introduced into the markets in 1974 by Monsanto, is hands down the most commonly used weed killer in the U.S.
The herbicide has been a top choice among agricultural workers, landscapers, gardeners, maintenance workers, and more. However, in 2015, Roundup was put on the spot after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) added glyphosate to the list of probable human carcinogens. Glyphosate is the main active ingredient in Roundup.
Two years later, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) joined the IARC to list glyphosate as a chemical that causes cancer in humans.
Monsanto false and misleading advertising
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been approving Roundup in regular reassessments since it entered the market. In 1985, EPA found that glyphosate was directly linked to causing cancerous tumors in mice.
While EPA listed glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, there were limited scientific research studies with direct links to humans. Therefore, it retracted the status label.
Monsanto went on to claim that Roundup was safer than table salt. They even cited their products to be biodegradable and environmentally friendly. However, some of the glyphosate tests initially conducted by contractors were found to be fraudulent. The company was once convicted of false advertising and fined heavily for the offense.
Bayer, a German pharmaceutical and life sciences company that acquired Monsanto in 2018, still maintains their Roundup products do not contain human carcinogens.
EPA also gave their latest verdict on glyphosate in January 2020, saying the chemical is unlikely to be a human carcinogen. It is because the available data is quite limited.
However, since IARC released their findings to the public, there have been dozens of Roundup lawsuits filed against the manufacturing company.
Glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
According to IARC, there is strong evidence that pure glyphosate and glyphosate formulations increase the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). The researchers at the University of Washington also found that people exposed to glyphosate by 41% are more likely to suffer NHL.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that targets the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, which guards our bodies against infections and diseases.
The cancerous tumors usually begin to grow in lymph nodes or other lymph tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. NHL might affect the spleen, bone marrow, thymus, digestive tract, adenoids, and tonsils.
Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Coughing and chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Excessive sweating during the night
- Persistent fatigue
- Abnormal weight loss
If you get exposed to Roundup and experience any of the signs and symptoms above, make sure you visit the doctor as soon as possible for cancer screening. It may be easier to treat cancer if you can catch it in its early stages.
Other risks of exposure to glyphosate
Research studies, although limited, are linking glyphosate to several health issues, including:
- Kidney failure
- Liver damage
- Abnormal fetal development
- Congenital disorder
- Miscarriages
- Low birth weight
These health concerns have made numerous counties, states, and countries across the globe to either restrict or outright ban the use of glyphosate products like the Monsanto’s Roundup.
Roundup Cancer Lawsuits in the United States
There have been tens of thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits filed against Monsanto over the past four years. In February 2020, for example, the number of cancer claims rose from 48,600 to 52,500.
After paying $191 million for three lost trials in California, Bayer agreed to enter a deal with lead firms to pay $10 billion as settlement for an estimated 95,000 suits in the U.S. The settlement includes $1.25 billion for potential future claims.
Roundup Lawsuit Attorney You Can Always Turn To
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup products, you can pursue justice with the help of a Louisiana attorney you can trust. Get in touch with The Mahone Firm today at (504) 564-7342 for a free case evaluation.
