W.H.O. Says Monsanto Weed Killer Probably Causes Cancer

A new report published from the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) says that the world’s most widely-used weed killer probably causes cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the organization’s cancer arm, said that the active ingredient in the Monsanto herbicide Roundup was classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. The article, published in The Lancet Oncology journal, said it had scarce evidence from human studies, but there was plenty from mice.

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide, currently with the highest production volumes of all herbicides. It is used in more than 750 different products for agriculture, forestry, urban, and home applications. Glyphosate has been detected in air during spraying, in water, and in food. Glyphosate has been detected in the blood and urine of agricultural workers, indicating absorption, reads the report.

Photo Credit: Monsanto

The study goes on to say that glyphosate promoted skin tumours in mice and there was “limited evidence” that it was carcinogenic in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Information from the study was compiled from exposure, which was mostly agricultural, in the United States, Canada, and Sweden.

Monsanto has commented on the information from W.H.O. saying that glyphosates are safe for human health.

“All labeled uses of glyphosate are safe for human health and supported by one of the most extensive worldwide human health databases ever compiled on an agricultural product. In fact, every glyphosate-based herbicide on the market meets the rigorous standards set by regulatory and health authorities to protect human health,” said Monsanto in a release.