Glyphosate poses several health risks to humans, with concerns centered on its potential effects as a carcinogen and other health implications:
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Cancer Risk: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015. This conclusion was based on studies suggesting a link between glyphosate exposure and certain cancers, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Endocrine Disruption: studies show that glyphosate can disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system, potentially leading to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and other health concerns. The disruption of hormones can have broad and long-term impacts, particularly on children and pregnant women.
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Genotoxicity: Research has shown that glyphosate can cause genotoxic effects, meaning it can damage genetic information in cells, leading to mutations.
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Gut Health and Microbiome: Glyphosate has an impact on certain bacteria, disrupting the human microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut). Since the gut microbiome plays an essential role in immunity, digestion, and even mental health, such disruptions could lead to broader health issues.
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Residue in Food and Water: Glyphosate is widely used on crops, which means residues can end up in food and drinking water. The long-term effects of consuming low levels of glyphosate are still unclear, but there are concerns about bioaccumulation, where small amounts can build up over time in the body.
Several countries have restricted or banned glyphosate use, especially in public spaces or on food crops, due to concerns over health risks and environmental impact. Here are some notable examples:
Argentina, Australia (in some states), Belgium, Bermuda, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Canada (8 out of 10 provinces), Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Austria.
In the following countries, environmentalists are fighting hard to get it banned:
Greece – voted against it but in 2018 approved a five-year license for Roundup against the wishes of Green environmentalists, New Zealand, Sweden (with tightened rules only), Switzerland, United Kingdom (although widely banned some retailers still stock the weed killers). Mexico is also in the process of enacting a ban against glyphosate.
More and more lawsuits arise every year due to the use of glyphosate. It’s should be obvious, that is a person has to dress in a full hazmat suite to apply a chemical then we probably shouldn’t be consuming it let alone inhaling it.