Glyphosate (Roundup) should be avoided

Fallleaves

Concerns over use of glyphosate-based herbicides and risks associated with exposures: a consensus statement

(1) GBHs are the most heavily applied herbicide in the world and usage continues to rise; (2) Worldwide, GBHs often contaminate drinking water sources, precipitation, and air, especially in agricultural regions; (3) The half-life of glyphosate in water and soil is longer than previously recognized; (4) Glyphosate and its metabolites are widely present in the global soybean supply; (5) Human exposures to GBHs are rising; (6) Glyphosate is now authoritatively classified as a probable human carcinogen; (7) Regulatory estimates of tolerable daily intakes for glyphosate in the United States and European Union are based on outdated science.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC475653...

and

Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23756170

One of the problems with GMO's is that they are engineered to withstand heavy application of glyphosate. I'm actually more worried about the glyphosate than any intrinsic health effect from GMO's. The problem is, as with BPA, it's not that easy to avoid glyphosate. At least we can NOT use it in our gardens, and try and buy organically grown foods (that drives my science major son, nuts---"All food is organic!" says he.)

Hopeful82014

Thanks for posting this, Fallleaves.

Given Roundup's heavy applications to GMO crops and, especially, corn and soybeans, it's pretty unappetizing to consume either. It also astonishes me when it's suggested that soy could be a healthy replacement for some of the meat in our diets. Umm, I don't think so...

SummerAngel

Did you know (I didn't until I saw this a couple of weeks ago) that the FDA hasn't even been measuring the amount of glyphosate residue on our food? It's ridiculous, who knows how much we've been eating over the years!

http://www.newsweek.com/fda-will-begin-testing-foo...

Fallleaves

Thanks for sharing that SummerAngel! So the FDA hasn't even been testing food for residues of glyphosate, but in 2013 it felt completely confident in increasing the amounts allowed to be sprayed on crops?? AND they've been increasing the allowable human exposure limits, including for infants? Wow, that is so disheartening.

Meanwhile, Congress is finally in the process of updating the Toxic Substances Control Act, which is definitely much needed. The problem is whether it will impede the efforts of states with stricter standards (like California). And guess who is getting a free pass written into the legislation, from legal liability for damage from the PCB's they produced...yeah, Monsanto! (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/business/monsant...)

Hopeful, you're right about the soy and corn, they are the most heavily covered with glyphosate. I don't do organic everything (although I probably should), but I do go organic with those two.

Hopeful82014

Thanks for the additional info, Fallleaves and SummerAngel. I just have to wonder sometimes at Monsanto's cupidity and what the FDA has against letting us in on the information that impacts our lives so insidiously.

GG27

It's not just GMO crops, it's used as a desiccant on a lot of crops just 3 or 4 days prior to harvest. Sugar cane, beans lentils, corn, soy, canola, wheat. When we traveled across the prairies a few years ago we were shown how harvesting works & were surprised by the planes flying over the crops spraying round up. Good luck buying almost anything that doesn't include some of those ingredients.

Fallleaves

GG27, Jeez, I had no idea...that's even worse than I thought. Spraying right before harvest means residues are probably the highest they could be.

GG27

Fallleaves, I don't think many people have any idea, I know that we didn't, til we were there & saw the crops and spoke with farmers who told us this is how farming has been for a long time, long before the whole GMO thing started.

We spent Christmas with friends whose family were there & the discussion of what kind of diet everyone ate & they were quite horrified that we didn't eat soy, beans & lentils etc.... I wasn't going to get into the whole thing with them because we were guests & didn't know these folks, but it was obvious that they felt that they were eating very healthy & that we were somehow not by eating meat even though we buy it at the farmgate & know how it's raised. Unfortunately our food has become simply another money making industry.

Jackbirdie

If you look at the employment history of many high level FDA staff you will find Monsanto on their resume. Because of the high level positions many of these FDA employees had at Monsanto, there are obviously long term relationships and philosophies that exist. Not to mention the possibility of continuing consulting agreements or promises of such deals in the future. And i do not know this for sure, but how many have vested interests in the form of stock and options they still may hold? If they are asked to regulate in a safe way for the consumer but it hurts their own personal situation how objective can they really be

I recently looked at a list of high level FDA staff and I was shocked at how many come from Monsanto. It's an established career path.

http://ivn.us/2013/02/11/the-revolving-door-fda-an...

Anonymous

This is depressing...especially since there's so little we can to reduce or risk compared to dropping weight or exercising

What should someone do if they can't afford organic and live in an apartment where they can't have a garden? I had always maintained that eating conventional veggies was healthier than eating no veggies...look where it got me.

Hopeful82014

Holy cow, GG! I think of myself as pretty well informed but, like Fallleaves, had NO idea of that practice. That's truly horrifying. Apparently my cupboards are due for another purging...

Katy, the revolving door between Monsanto, et al and the FDA is something that I've never understood - as in, WHY do we, as a nation, accept this? I just do not get it.