http://metalab.unc.edu/london/pesticide-education/NCAMP.RoundUp.information
Ten reasons to NOT use Roundup
Compiled by Caroline Cox, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to
Pesticides- (NCAP)
Roundup, and related herbicides with glyphosate as an active
ingredient, are advertised as products that can "eradicate weeds and
unwanted grasses effectively with a high level of environmental
safety." However, an independent, accurate evaluation of their health
and environmental hazards can draw conclusions very different from
those presented in the ads. Consider these facts:
1. Glyphosate can be persistent. In tests conducted by Monsanto,
manufacturer of glyphosate-containing herbicides, up to 140 days were
required for half of the applied glyphosate to break down or
disappear from agricultural soils. At harvest, residues of glyphosate
were found in lettuce, carrots, and barley planted one year after
glyphosate treatment.
2. Glyphosate can drift. Test conducted by the University of
California, Davis, found that glyphosate drifted up to 400 meters
(1300 feet) durng ground applications and 800 meters 12600 feet)
during aerial applications.
3. Glyphosate is acutely toxic to humans. Ingesting about 3/4 of a
cup can be lethal. Symptoms include eye and skin irritation, lung
congestion, and erosion of the intestinal tract. Between 1984 and
1990 in California, glyphosate was the third most frequently reported
cause of illness related to agricultural pesticide use.
4. Glyphosate has shown a wide spectrum of chronic toxicity in
laboratory tests. The National Toxicology Program found that chronic
feeding of glyphosate caused salivary gland lesions, reduced sperm
counts, and a lengthened estrous cycle (how often an individual comes
into heat). Other chronic effects found in laboratory tests include
an increase in the frequency of lethal mutations in fruit flies, an
increase in frequency of pancreas and liver tumors in male rats along
with an increase in the frequency of thyroid tumors in females, and
cataracts. (The fruit fly study used Roundup; the other studies used
glyphosate.)
5. Roundup contains toxic trade secret ingredients. These include
polyethoxylated tallowamines, causing nausea and diarrhea, and
isopropylamine, causing chemical pneumonia, laryngitis, headache, and
burns.
6. Roundup kills beneficial insects. Tests conducted by the
International Organization for Biological Control showed that Roundup
caused mortality of live beneficial species: a Thrichogramma, a
predatory mite, a lacewing, a ladybug, and a predatory beetle.
7. Glyphosate is hazardous to earthworms, Tests using New Zealand's
most common earthworm showed that glyphosate, in amounts as low as
1/20 of standard application rates, reduced its growth and slowed its
development.
8. Roundup inhibits mycorrhizal fungi. Canadian studies have shown
that as little as 1 part per million of Roundup can reduce the growth
or colonization of mycorrhizal fungi.
9. Glyphosate reduces nitrogen fixation. Amounts as small as 2 parts
per million have had significant effects, and effects have been
measured up to 120 days after treatment. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
shown to be impacted by glyphosate include a species found on
soybeans and several species found on clover.
10. Roundup can increase the spread or severity of plant diseases.
Treatment with roundup increased the severity of Rhizoctonia root rot
in barley, increased the amount and growth of take-all fungus, a
wheat disease, and reduced the ability of bean plants to defend
themselves against anthracnose.
These facts about Roundup are taken from a two-part article about the
health and environmental hazards of glyphosate published in NCAP's
Journal of Pesticide Reform. Copies of the article, with complete
references for all of .the information presented, are available from
NCAP for $2.00. NCAP, PO Box 1391, Eugene, OR 97440; (541) 344-5044.
There is superior documentation on Roundup, both its toxicology and
ecological effects, available from the Northwest Coalition for
Alternatives to Pesticides, P.O. Box 1393, Eugene, OR 97440,
(503)344-5044.
Two articles authored by Caroline Cox: - "Glyphosate, Part 1:
Toxicology," Journal of Pesticide Reform, Fall, 1995, Vol. 15, No. 3.
- "Glyphosate, Part 2: Human Exposure and Ecological Effects,"
Winter, 1995, Vol. 15, No. 4. Over 100 references are cited.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/Monsanto/glyphocancer.cfm
New Study Links Monsanto's Roundup to Cancer
PRESS RELEASE - 22 JUNE
A recent study by eminent oncologists Dr. Lennart Hardell and Dr.
Mikael Eriksson of Sweden [1], has revealed clear links between one
of the world's biggest selling herbicide, glyphosate, to
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer [2].
In the study published in the 15 March 1999 Journal of American
Cancer Society, the researchers also maintain that exposure to
glyphosate 'yielded increased risks for NHL.' They stress that with
the rapidly increasing use of glyphosate since the time the study was
carried out, 'glyphosate deserves further epidemiologic studies.'
Glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, is the world's most widely
used herbicide. It is estimated that for 1998, over a 112,000 tonnes
of glyphosate was used world-wide. It indiscriminately kills off a
wide variety of weeds after application and is primarily used to
control annual and perennial plants.
71% of genetically engineered crops planted in 1998 are designed to
be resistant to herbicides such as glyphosate, marketed by Monsanto
as Roundup. Companies developing herbicide resistant crops are also
increasing
their production capacity for the herbicides such as glyphosate, and
also requesting permits for higher residues of these chemicals in
genetically engineered food. For example, Monsanto have already
received permits for a threefold increase in herbicide residues on
genetically engineered soybeans
in Europe and the U.S., up from 6 parts per million (PPM) to 20 PPM.
According to Sadhbh O' Neill of Genetic Concern, 'this study
reinforces concerns by environmentalists and health professionals
that far from reducing herbicide use, glyphosate resistant crops may
result in increased residues to which we as consumers will be exposed
in our food.'
'Increased residues of glyphosate and its metabolites are already on
sale via genetically engineered soya, common in processed foods.
However no studies of the effects of GE soya sprayed with Roundup on
health have been carried out either on animals or humans to date,'
she continued.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics from
1997 show that expanded plantings of Roundup Ready soybeans (i.e.
soybeans genetically engineered to be tolerant to the herbicide)
resulted in a 72% increase in the use of glyphosate. According to the
Pesticides Action Network, scientists estimate that plants
genetically engineered to be herbicide resistant will actually triple
the amount of herbicides used. Farmers, knowing that their crop can
tolerate or resist being killed off by
the herbicides, will tend to use them more liberally.
O' Neill concluded: 'The EPA when authorising Monsanto's field trials
for Roundup-ready sugar beet did not consider the issue of
glyphosate. They considered this to be the remit of the Pesticides
Control Service of the Department of Agriculture. Thus nobody has
included the effects of increasing the use of glyphosate in the
risk/benefit analysis carried out. It is yet another example of how
regulatory authorities supposedly protecting public health have
failed to implement the 'precautionary principle' with respect to
GMOs.'
ENDS
Further information: Sadhbh O' Neill at 01-4760360 or 087-2258599 or
(home) 01-6774052
Notes
[1] Lennart Hardell, M.D., PhD. Department of Oncology, Orebro
Medical Centre, Orebro, Sweden and Miikael Eriksson, M.D., PhD,
Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, 'A
Case-Control Study of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Exposure to
Pesticides', Cancer, March 15, 1999/ Volume 85/ Number 6.
The findings are based on a population-based case-control study
conducted in Sweden between 1987 - 1990. The necessary data was
ascertained by a series of comprehensive questionnaires and follow-up
telephone interviews. Dr. Hardell and Dr. Eriksson found that
'exposure to herbicides and fungicides resulted in significantly
increased risks for NHL'.
[2] Lymphoma is a form of cancer that afflicts the lymphatic system.
It can occur at virtually any part of the body but the initial
symptoms are usually seen as swellings around the lymph nodes at the
base of the neck. There are basically two main kinds of lymphoma,
i.e. Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The incidence of NHL has increased rapidly in most Western countries
over the last few decades. According to the American Cancer Society,
there has been an alarming 80% increase in incidences of NHL since
the early 1970's.
http://www.greenpeace.org/~usa/reports/biodiversity/glyp.html
"Greenpeace Report - Not Ready for Roundup: Glyphosate Fact Sheet"
Human Toxicity
Because the shikimic acid pathway does not exist in animals, the
acute toxicity of glyphosate is very low. Glyphosate can interfere
with some enzyme functions in animals but symptoms of poisoning are
only seen at very high doses. However, products containing glyphosate
also contain other compounds which can be toxic. In particular most
contain surfactants known as polyoxyethyleneamines (POEA). Some of
these are much more toxic than glyphosate. These account for problems
associated with worker exposure. They are serious irritants of the
respiratory tract, eyes and skin and are contaminated with dioxane
(not dioxin) which is a suspected carcinogen. Some are toxic to fish.
In California, glyphosate is the third most commonly-reported cause
of pesticide related illness among agricultural workers. Glyphosate
is the most frequent cause of complaints to the UK's Health and
Safety Executive's Pesticides Incident Appraisal Panel. New
formulations, with less irritating surfactants, have been developed
by Monsanto (e.g. Roundup Biactive), but cheaper, older preparations
are still available.
Environmental Toxicity
Glyphosate is one of the most toxic herbicides, with many species of
wild plants being damaged or killed by applications of less than 10
micrograms per plant. Glyphosate can be more damaging to wild flora
than many other herbicides, as aerial spraying with glyphosate can
give average drifts of 1200 to 2500 feet and ground spraying with
glyphosate may cause damage to sensitive plants up to 300 feet from
the field sprayed. Glyphosate use is thought to affect hedgerow
trees, causing die-back, and may reduce trees' winter hardiness and
resistance to fungal disease
The direct toxicity of glyphosate to mammals and birds is low.
However, its effect on flora can have a damaging effect on mammals
and birds through habitat destruction. The US EPA concluded that many
endangered species of plants, as well as the Houston toad, may be at
risk from glyphosate use.
Fish and invertebrates are more sensitive to formulations of
glyphosate. As with humans, the surfactants are responsible for much
of the harm . Toxicity is increased with higher water temperatures,
and pH. In Australia, guidelines state that most formulations of
glyphosate should not be used in or near water because of their toxic
effects on tadpoles and adult frogs. The newer, non-irritant
formulations such as Roundup Biactive are not included in this advice.
Of nine herbicides tested for their toxicity to soil microorganisms,
glyphosate was found to be the second most toxic to a range of
bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and yeasts. However, when glyphosate
comes into contact with the soil it rapidly binds to soil particles
and is inactivated. Unbound glyphosate is degraded by bacteria. Low
activity because of binding to soil particles suggests that
glyphosate's effects on soil flora will be limited. However, some
recent work shows that glyphosate can be readily released from
certain types of soil particles, and therefore may leach into water
or be taken up by plants.
http://www.pesticide.org/gly.pdf
Journal Of Pesticide Reform/ Fall 1998, Vol.18, No. 3
Updated 1/02
Glyphosate (Roundup)
Herbicide Factsheet
Laboratory studies have found adverse effects in all standard
categories of laboratory toxicology testing. These include
medium-term toxicity (salivary gland lesions), long-term toxicity
(inflamed stomach linings), genetic damage (in human blood cells),
effects on reproduction (reduced sperm counts in rats; increased
frequency of abnormal sperm in rabbits), and carcinogenicity
(increased frequency of liver tumors in male rats and thyroid cancer
in female rats). In studies of people (mostly farmers) exposed to
glyphosate herbicides, exposure is associated with an increased risk
of miscarriages, premature birth, and the cancer non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
http://www.love.telinco.co.uk/Monsanto/Products/roundup.htm
Roudup:- Monsanto's Best Selling Herbicide
Some Health Consequences of Roundup Poisoning
Increased use of the chemical poses numerous health and ecological
risks. Roundup is known to cause a variety of often serious health
problems. Symptoms of acute poisoning in humans following ingestion
of Roundup include gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, swelling of the
lungs, pneumonia, clouding of consciosness, and destruction of red
blood cells. Eye and skin irritation has been reported by workers
mixing, loading and applying glyphosate.
A series of suicides and attempted suicides in Japan during the
1980's using Roundup herbicide allowed scientists to calculate a
lethal dose of six ounces. The herbicide is 100 times more toxic to
fish than people, toxic to earthworms, soil bacteria and beneficial
fungi. Breakdown of glyphosate into N-nitrosoglyphosate and other
related compounds has heightened concerns about the possible
carcinogenicity of Roundup products.1
A 1993 study at the University of California at Berkeley's School of
Public Health found that glyphosate was the most common cause of
pesticide related illness among landscape maintenance workers in
California, and the number three cause among agricultural workers.2 A
1996 review of the scientific literature by members of the Vermont
Citizens Forest Roundtable- a group which successfully lobbied the
Vermont Legislature for a statewide ban on the use of herbicides in
forestry- revealed updated evidence of lung damage, heart
palpitations, nausea, reproductive problems, chromosone aberrations
and numerous other effects of exposure to Roundup Herbicide3
Taken from an article by Brian Tokar
References
1. Carolyn Cox, "Glyphosate Fact Sheet," Journal of Pesticide
Reform, Volume 11, No 2, Spring 1991.
2. Carolyn Cox, "Glyphosate, Part 2: Human Exposure and
Ecological Effects," Journal of Pesticide Reform, Volume 15, No.4
Fall 1995.
3. Sylvia Knight, "Glyphosate, Roundup and Other Herbicides- An
Annotated Bibliography," Vermont Citizens Forest Roundtable, January
1996.
--
Harmon Seaver
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com
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