Weed-killing chemical present in majority of U.S. urine samples – CBS Information
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By Kate Gibson
July 11, 2022 / 2:38 PM / MoneyWatch
A broadly used however controversial herbicide linked to most cancers is exhibiting up in individuals, with a authorities research discovering glyphosate in additional than 80% of urine samples from U.S. children and adults.
A part of a Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention program, the Nationwide Well being and Vitamin Examination Survey found glyphosate in 1,885 of two,310 urine samples consultant of the inhabitants at giant. Practically a 3rd of the samples got here from children, ranging in age from six to 18.
“Glyphosate is essentially the most broadly used herbicide within the nation, but till now we had little or no information on publicity,” Alexis Temkin, a toxicologist on the Environmental Working Group, said Monday in an announcement. “Youngsters within the U.S. are frequently uncovered to this cancer-causing weedkiller via the meals they eat just about day by day.”
The weed-killing chemical is the energetic ingredient within the broadly used Roundup model, which was inherited by German pharmaceutical firm Bayer when it purchased American agrochemical giant Monsanto in 2018.
The Supreme Court docket final month rejected a bid by Bayer to shut down thousands of lawsuits claiming the weedkiller causes most cancers. The excessive court docket’s justices let stand a $25 million judgement on behalf of a California man who claims he developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from a long time of utilizing Roundup on his property.
The Environmental Safety Company in 2020 discovered that glyphosate doesn’t pose a critical well being threat and is “unlikely” to trigger most cancers in people, however a federal appeals court docket final month ordered the EPA to reexamine its findings.
Nonetheless, Bayer has gained 4 consecutive trials in state court docket towards individuals claiming they acquired most cancers from utilizing Roundup, with a current verdict favoring the corporate coming in Oregon.
The Worldwide Company for Analysis on Most cancers – a part of the World Well being Group — classifies glyphosate as “in all probability carcinogenic to people.”
Bayer maintains the product is secure, however stated that it might change glyphosate in Roundup for residential use starting in 2023. Merchandise containing glyphosate will nonetheless be obtainable for skilled and farm use.
Traces of glyphosate has been present in a wide range of food, including baby formula, in addition to in organic beer and wine and in hummus and chickpeas.
First revealed on July 11, 2022 / 2:37 PM
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