According to a Reuters report, a new lawsuit in January 2022 in the U.S. accused Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE), of not granting a settlement to a Virginia farmworker, who claimed that Roundup weedkiller led to cancer. Her not being a U.S. citizen was cited as the reason for the settlement denial.
The complaint stated that Elvira Reyes-Hernandez used Roundup weedkiller while she continued working on a tree farm before getting diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She expected the average payout to be $120,000 and the settlement of $412.8 million.
She reported that she decided to sue the law firm as it dismissed her case because she was Mexican. So, she went ahead and filed a lawsuit in Abingdon federal court asking for compensation.
Today, Reyes-Hernandez is not the only one to file a legal case against Roundup. Several people struggling have filed Roundup cancer lawsuits. It’s because glyphosate, which is in Roundup, is carcinogenic.
What is Glyphosate?
Simply put, Glyphosate is a synthetic herbicide from Monsanto Company since 1974. It has been linked with several health issues and cancer. It is an active ingredient in Roundup herbicides.
One of the most pertinent GMO traits that get engineered in food crops is herbicide tolerance. According to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) statistics, 94% of soybeans and 90% of corn have been genetically engineered to tolerate the herbicides. Glyphosate exposure amongst Americans has gone up exponentially after the advent of Roundup Ready GMO crops in the United States.
Why Has Bayer Decided to Remove Glyphosate from the U.S. Consumer Market?
Bayer AG, owner of Monsanto in July 2021 declared that it will take off all glyphosate-based herbicides from the entire consumer market in the U.S. by 2023 because of the constant litigation.
Over 100,000 consumers have sued and many more are accusing Bayer of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma because of glyphosate exposure. People who have suffered can file a Roundup lawsuit and get their deserving compensation.
According to TorHoerman Law Firm, victims should be aware of whether they qualify for the claim or not. Their website has information about the supporting documents required so you can judge whether you can qualify for a claim or not. Some of the evidence required are medical history, medical records, employment records, and bills of purchase to develop the case.
Glyphosate Exposure and Health Hazards
Several health hazards and ailments were linked to Glyphosate usage and exposure. The serious ones are:
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Cancer
The Leukaemia and Lymphoma journal in March 2023, highlighted three studies that highlighted the risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and glyphosate exposure. It also included the hairy cell, sub-tyle leukemia.
In November 2021, the University of Vienna researchers reported that 2 of 11 studies that Monsanto shared with EU regulators were considered as untrustworthy.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2022 had excluded the EPAs decision of considering glyphosate as not risky to human and environmental health. Furthermore, in September 2022, the EPA took back its temporary decision on glyphosate.
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Fertility, Reproductive Concerns, and Endocrine Disruption
A paper in “Review of Economic Studies, Down the River: Glyphosate Use in Agriculture and Birth Outcomes of Surrounding Populations” in November 2022 highlighted the use of glyphosate and its effect on birth outcomes revolving around GMO soy growing areas in Brazil. There has been a drastic deterioration in the birth results for the downstream populations from certain locations that used glyphosate more than others.
In October 2022, there was a study done on Environmental health about Glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and minimized fetal growth. The study detected glyphosate in almost 99% of pregnant women residing in the Midwestern areas. If women experienced increased maternal levels during their first trimester it was linked with reduced birth weight. That means the chance of NICU admission risk was higher.
A paper was published in March 2021 in Frontiers in Endocrinology about the link between Glyphosate use and thyroid problems. The researchers of this study discovered that glyphosate was present in the urine samples of urban and rural environments. Also, there seems to be some link between the farmers who got exposed to glyphosate and fluctuating hormone levels.
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Liver disease
A prospective cohort study in 2023 using information from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) revealed interesting insights. The reports claim a strong link between AMPA levels and glyphosate in Hispanic children between 4 and 14 years. It marked liver damage. Other probabilities included metabolism problems and fatty liver disease.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to steer clear of glyphosate exposure is to seek better alternatives. The options available today revolve around salt-based herbicides, iron-based herbicides, natural acids (citric acids or vinegar), and herbicide soaps.
But if you or your loved one have faced health issues after using Roundup, you need both medical and legal assistance.
