Scientists and environmentalists have been saying that the world’s most common weed killer, known as glyphosate, or Monsanto’s Roundup, is a carcinogen for decades. Last week, the World Health Organization report indicated that, indeed, glyphosate it is a probable carcinogen. Now there’s evidence that the Environmental Protection Agency knew glyphosate was a probable carcinogen thirty years ago but approved it for use anyway. Here’s a summarized chronology of events:
1985: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was aware of the herbicide’s ability to cause cancer 30 years ago, even categorizing it as a ‘Class C Carcinogen.” Class C carcinogens have “suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential.”
1991: The EPA already had evidence of multiple studies showing glyphosate is a possible carcinogen, but still reversed its decision suggesting that suddenly, six years later, there wasn’t enough evidence. It approved the herbicide for widespread use, classifying it as “Group E: evidence of NON-carcinogenicity for humans.” According the Organic Consumers Association: “Six years (after the EPA classified glyphosate as a carcinogen), just about the time former Monsanto lawyer Michael Taylor got himself installed in a key position at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the EPA reversed that decision.”
2013: Although the evidence of glyphosate’s carcinogenicity had been mounting for years, the EPA increased the upper limits of allowable amounts of glyphosate that can be sprayed on crops.
2015: World Health Organization declares glyphosate a “probable carcinogen.”
The Research
Study after study continues to link Roundup to cancer. You may recall a few months ago I shared: “The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found a link between some pesticides and a significantly increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma—a type of cancer of the lymphatic system. In this type of cancer, tumors of the lymph nodes or within the lymph system can form. According to the review of 44 studies, 80 active ingredients in 21 classes of chemicals, researchers found that exposure to glyphosate the main ingredient in Roundup doubles the risk of this deadly cancer.”
Other research links Roundup to the growing incidence of infertility and sterility.
When I consider the timeline and the recent news it screams cover-up or gross negligence on the part of the EPA. What do you think? Is the EPA involved in a cover-up or completely negligent or something altogether different? Should the EPA have banned glyphosate thirty years ago?
Take Action: Tell the EPA and USDA that it’s time to ban glyphosate now! Sign the Care2.com petition here.
Related:
Exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup Pesticide Doubles Cancer Risk