The Round Up on RoundUp

RUCHI SHAH – Household chemicals are a topic of high controversy, especially as of late. Over the last five years herbicides, like RoundUp products in particular, have been under fire because of the detrimental effects they have on human health. RoundUp is a product line currently owned by Bayer offering herbicides for residential, professional and agricultural use. Bayer is a multinational pharmaceutical company whose herbicide sector (previously Monsanto) has been recently declining. RoundUp has been under great scrutiny since the class-action lawsuit filed against it came into the limelight. The suit outlined risks associated with the products’ active ingredient – glyphosate. 

Glyphosate is generally absorbed by weeds through the leaves and serves as an inhibitor for the plant pathway for biosynthesis of key amino acids: tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine. These amino acids are key building blocks of proteins for plants. Of course, this is good for the glyphosate-based herbicides because they do their job – they eradicate weeds. Prior to the current lawsuits, use of glyphosate based herbicides, especially RoundUp, have skyrocketed because of their efficacy. In the 1990’s RoundUp took an extra bump up in sales because of the introduction of RoundUp Ready™ genetically modified seed in the agriculture sector. This new seed type allowed for RoundUp use throughout crop growth for common crops like soybeans, corn and cotton. As the use of such herbicides has increased on a global scale, the prevalence of glyphosate in the environment has increased astronomically. 

Glyphosate, like water, is a polar molecule. This allows glyphosate to dissolve in water with ease, making its spread light work. Glyphosate attaches directly to soil and can enter water streams. It can be released  in harmful places as runoff based on soil composition, rainfall, and other factors. Of course this runoff can have astronomical consequences in large-scale professional and agricultural uses, but it can also pose a threat to human health when such products are used in residential uses. Residential glyphosate use also contributes to environmental spread but can present more acute issues because they lead to direct exposure as opposed to environmental or residual exposure. Having such dangerous chemicals so close to home leaves families vulnerable to potential carcinogens in their own backyards, where their children and loved ones should be able to roam care-free. Studies have been conducted since the 90’s around carcinogenicity of long-term glyphosate exposure. When glyphosate-based herbicides first entered the scene in the 70’s, it was determined that glyphosate was likely not harmful. However, recent studies conducted by different organizations have found conflicting results regarding glyphosate’s carcinogenicity. Though most major US organizations still stand by the decision that glyphosate is probably not harmful, there is a stark difference with international organizations. 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) utilized peer-reviewed published data to further evaluate glyphosate’s potential influence in cancer in those exposed to the chemical. In 2020, they identified glyphosate with “hazard identification of glyphosate as category 2A substance, probable human carcinogen.” This issue was further investigated in a joint assessment conducted by the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Though the EU and WHO could not affirm the IARC’s rulings, major questions have been raised about the true nature of glyphosate-based pesticides and further research around its role as a carcinogen is ongoing. Some studies on glyphosate have suggested that glyphosate may increase the risk of cancer, endocrine-disruption, celiac disease, autism, effect on erythrocytes, and leaky-gut syndrome.

Though most organizations have not released any updated standings around glyphosate, consumer confidence in RoundUp products has plummeted in recent years. When Bayer acquired Monsanto for $63 billion, it also inherited Monsanto’s litigation and suits. After reaching an approximately $10.9 billion settlement with most plaintiffs, Bayer has resolved to discontinue any of their residential herbicide products, under the RoundUp brand, that utilize glyphosate as their active ingredient by 2023. This decision has obviously resulted in a decline in sales of Roundup products and has caused several consumer safety groups to petition for the removal of RoundUp products from popular retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Other international organizations, like the EU, have also afforded Bayer extensions for ending the sales and production of the RoundUp product line. As outlined earlier, glyphosate usage on crops and residential applications has increased massively due to product efficacy and as Roundup has further caused weeds and other plants to grow resistant to the chemical. Most consumers of glyphosate products in a residential capacity value their family’s health over RoundUp’s and other glyphosate-based products’ stellar efficacy in eliminating weeds. However, large-scale farms and other firms who use RoundUp or other glyphosate-based products often find that the efficacy of such herbicides trump the issues they may present for human health. The consequences of this lawsuit have significantly diminished the reputation and usage of such potentially carcinogenic herbicides in residential settings. RoundUp’s other glyphosate-based industrial use herbicides were not shut down and their efficacy remains astonishingly high. As a result, the use of such products has not ceased. 

Though there is controversy over whether or not glyphosate is harmful or carcinogenic and such opinions are divided globally, there is no true ruling or decision around the possible risks glyphosate may be contributing to. Since glyphosate-based herbicides are still being used world-wide in an industrial capacity and the environmental spread of glyphosate from such industrial uses is so great, we could possibly still be in great danger. Though the discontinuation of residential RoundUp has pushed the market and consumers in the direction of expecting more from health and safety organizations world-wide, this suit has clearly not been enough to ensure the safety of people all over the globe. More studies and detailed inquiries must be conducted to determine the true role glyphosate may or may not play as a carcinogen or a possible contributor to major health issues – consumers and producers must demand more for their own safety, the safety of their loved ones and ultimately the safety of our planet.

Copy Editor: Aditi Madhusudan

Photography Source: Shweta Mistry, https://thenickslawfirm.com/practice-areas-1/roundup-lawsuit/