Story at-a-glance<\/p>\n
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto\u2019s Roundup herbicide, has been the focus of increasing scrutiny after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined it to be a probable human carcinogen. Yet, glyphosate is not the only ingredient in Roundup and other glyphosate-based products, nor is it the only potentially toxic ingredient. The formulation includes a number of so-called inert ingredients as well, and these have largely evaded scrutiny because they were concealed as proprietary \u201ctrade secrets.\u201d Monsanto is now facing multiple lawsuits from people who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup. The suits allege that glyphosate, along with the product\u2019s inert ingredients are to blame, and in fact that the mixture of chemicals together is far more dangerous than glyphosate alone. According to the Intercept, one of the lawsuits states, \u201cMonsanto \u2018knew or should have known that Roundup is more toxic than glyphosate<\/a> alone and that safety studies of Roundup, Roundup\u2019s adjuvants and \u2018inert\u2019 ingredients\u2019 were necessary.\u201d1<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n Most studies looking into glyphosate toxicity have only studied glyphosate and its toxic breakdown product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), even though the presence of \u201cinactive\u201d compounds are likely amplifying glyphosate\u2019s toxic effects. A 2012 study revealed that ingredients such as solvents, preservatives, surfactants and other added substances are anything but \u201cinactive.\u201d They can, and oftentimes do, contribute to a product\u2019s toxicity in a synergistic manner \u2014 even if they\u2019re non-toxic in isolation. <\/em>Certain adjuvants in glyphosate-based herbicides<\/a> were also found to be \u201cactive principles of human cell toxicity,\u201d adding to the hazards inherent with glyphosate.It\u2019s well worth noting that, according to the researchers, this cell damage and\/or cell death can occur at the residual levels found on Roundup-treated crops, as well as lawns and gardens where Roundup is applied for weed control.2<\/span><\/sup> As written in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health:3<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n POEA (polyethoxylated tallow amine), a major adjuvant surfactant in Roundup, has been shown to be cytotoxic (toxic to cells) at doses far lower than glyphosate itself. Unfortunately, most regulatory bodies regard POEA as inert, requiring no risk assessment, even as research suggests otherwise.The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health study found POEA was between 1,200 and 2,000 times more toxic than glyphosate alone, which highlights the problems with letting so-called inert ingredients escape regulatory scrutiny.4<\/span><\/sup> In 2014, the Institute of Science in Society (ISIS) reported:5<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n Germany removed POEA-containing herbicides from the market in 2014 because a forestry worker developed inflammation of the lungs after exposure.Earlier this year, ANSES, the national health and safety agency in France, also took steps to ban the product. The European Commission has also proposed banning POEA.In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to monitor food for glyphosate residue but not for POEA, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) won\u2019t focus on POEA either, simply because it\u2019s not an official active ingredient.Monsanto must be well aware of the problems, as they\u2019re reportedly preparing to transition to other types of surfactants.6<\/span><\/sup> The fact is, research is mounting that, when it comes to Roundup, the sum of its parts may be even more toxic than glyphosate alone. For instance:7<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n \u2022<\/span>In 2002 and 2004, studies showed glyphosate-containing herbicides were more likely to cause changes linked to cancer (specifically, cell-cycle dysregulation) than glyphosate alone8<\/span>,<\/sup>9<\/span><\/sup>\u2022 <\/span>In 2005, research showed Roundup to be more toxic to rats\u2019 livers than glyphosate alone10<\/span><\/sup>\u2022 <\/span>In 2009, various Roundup formulations were found to be more toxic to human umbilical, embryonic and placental cells than glyphosate alone.11<\/span><\/sup> The researcher explained:<\/p>\n The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) released their assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).13<\/span><\/sup>The 400-page report, which was sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cites an ongoing lack of transparency that is fueling distrust in consumers.14<\/span><\/sup>For instance, in 2002 the U.S. General Accounting Office recommended that the FDA verify raw test data from a GMO developer on a random basis, but it doesn\u2019t appear the FDA followed through with this recommendation. As The Huffington Post reported:15<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n Also noteworthy, the NAS report found no evidence that GE crops led to overall increases in yields of soybeans, cotton or corn, a benefit long parroted by the industry for why GMO crops are necessary to \u201cfeed the world.\u201d The spread of resistant weeds and insects as a result of GE crops is also discussed. As for glyphosate, the report only noted there is \u201csignificant disagreement among expert committees on the potential harm that could be caused\u201d by its use. It also downplayed the severity of many issues while failing to recommend needed policy changes. Charles Benbrook, Ph.D. an agricultural economist at Washington State University, recommended three strategies that could significantly reduce human exposure to glyphosate at very little cost (unfortunately, such common-sense strategies were missing from the NAS report):16<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n If you want to avoid consuming residues of Roundup, you\u2019ll want to limit or eliminate processed foods in your diet. Most of them are made with GE crops that are heavily sprayed with Roundup. Even foods you might not expect can also contain Roundup residues. An Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) analysis found the highest levels of glyphosate in non-GE crops including bagels, bread and wheat cereal. This, they noted, is likely the result of the common practice of using glyphosate as a desiccant shortly before harvest. Ten out of 24 breakfast foods tested in ANH\u2019s analysis had detectable levels of glyphosate. This included oatmeal, bagels, coffee creamer, organic bread and even organic, cage-free, and antibiotic-free eggs. In addition, advocacy group Moms Across America sent 10 wine samples to be tested for glyphosate. All of the samples tested positive for glyphosate \u2014 even organic wines, although their levels were significantly lower.17 <\/span><\/sup>Roundup isn\u2019t even sprayed directly onto grapes in vineyards, but it is often used to spray the ground on either side of the grape vines. A study of glyphosate residues by the Munich Environmental Institute also found glyphosate in 14 best-selling German beers.18 <\/span><\/sup>All of the beers tested had glyphosate levels above the 0.1 microgram limit allowed in drinking water. Although these studies didn\u2019t test for the \u201cinert\u201d Roundup ingredients, if glyphosate was detected there\u2019s a good chance their companion additives would be too.<\/p>\nInert Ingredients in Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Are Toxic to Living Cells<\/h4>\n
\u2018Inert\u2019 Ingredient Polyethoxylated Tallowamine (POEA) 2,000 Times More Toxic Than Glyphosate<\/h4>\n
Accumulating Research Shows Roundup More Dangerous Than Glyphosate Alone<\/h4>\n
NAS Releases New Study on Genetically Engineered (GE) Crops<\/h4>\n
No Evidence GE Crops Changed the Rate of Increase in Yields<\/h4>\n
Roundup Residues Found in Foods You Might Not Expect<\/h4>\n