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Reinforcing earlier findings, a systematic review published in Chemosphere finds the popular herbicide glyphosate and its formulations (glyphosate-based formulations or GBF) exhibit five out of the 10 key characteristics (KC) of carcinogens, or cancer-causing chemicals.
Specifically, glyphosate exhibits strong evidence of genotoxicity, epigenetic alterations (heritable changes in gene expression), oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, endocrine disruption and disturbs gut microbiota implicated in lymphomagenesis (growth and development of lymphoma).
Although organizations like the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) designate glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen and scientific literature supports the findings on these adverse effects purported by glyphosate, the chemical remains on the U.S. market in various formulations.
Glyphosate is the most commonly used active ingredient worldwide, appearing in many herbicide formulas, not just Bayer’s (formerly Monsanto) Roundup.
The use of this chemical has been increasing since the inception of crops genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate over two decades ago.
The toxic herbicide readily contaminates the ecosystem with residues pervasive in food and water commodities. In addition to this study, literature proves time and time again that glyphosate has an association with cancer development, as well as human, biotic and ecosystem harm.
Therefore, advocates point to the need for national policies to reassess hazards associated with disease development and diagnosis resulting from or exacerbated by exposure to chemical pollutants.
The study highlights:
“Our findings strengthen the mechanistic evidence that glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen and provide biological plausibility for previously reported cancer associations in humans, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”
Using in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro human and mammalian mechanistic studies, researchers compare exposure to glyphosate/GBF with little to no exposure counterparts for evidence of the 10 KCs of carcinogens.
All known human carcinogens have one or more of the 10 KCs and these mechanisms cause cancer through:
- Electrophilic (an affinity towards electrons) or metabolic activation (KC1).
- Genotoxicity (KC2).
- Alterations in DNA repair, causing genome instability (KC3).
- Inducing epigenetic changes (KC40).
- Inducing oxidative stress (KC5).
- Inducing chronic inflammation (KC6).
- Immunosuppression (KC7).
- Reducing receptor-mediated effects/endocrine disruption (KC8).
- Immortalizing cancer cells (KC9).
- Alterations in cell proliferation, death or nutrient supply (KC10).
Researchers screened all in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro studies of glyphosate/GBF exposure in humans/mammals, reporting any KC-related outcome available in PubMed before August 2021.
The researchers used the selected studies to construct a matrix, analyzing the matrix in program R to determine the strength of evidence and quality assessments. Although only 175 of the 2,537 articles met inclusion criteria, the researchers extracted over 50,000 data points related to the aforementioned KC outcomes.
The results of the analysis find strong evidence for KC2, KC4, KC5, KC6 and KC8, limited evidence for KC1 and KC3 and inadequate evidence for KC7, KC9 and KC10.
Specifically, genotoxicity (KC2) and endocrine disruption (KC8) from GBF have the strongest association with carcinogenicity.
The reviewed studies demonstrate that the evidence of genotoxicity is stronger among humans than in animal studies, with GBF having a greater impact on both study groups than just glyphosate alone.
Additionally, the review indicates glyphosate can alter hormone (endocrine) levels and receptor activity, with the estrogen receptors being most sensitive to glyphosate and GBFs.
Almost five decades of extensive glyphosate-based herbicide use has put human, animal and environmental health at risk.
The chemical’s ubiquity threatens 93% of all U.S. endangered species, resulting in biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption (e.g., soil erosion and loss of services).
Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides has implications for specific alterations in microbial gut composition and trophic cascades.
Similar to this paper, past studies find a strong association between glyphosate exposure and the development of various health anomalies, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease and autism.
Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies glyphosate herbicides as “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans,” stark evidence demonstrates links to various cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Thus, EPA’s classification perpetuates environmental injustice among individuals disproportionately exposed to chemicals like farmworkers, especially in marginalized communities.
Chemical companies knowingly fail and continue to fail to warn farmers adequately about the dangers of glyphosate. Additionally, the manufacturer’s (Bayer/Monsanto) discredited chemical review conclusions challenge the European Union research.
The territory for research on pesticides’ potential carcinogenicity and other impacts on human health is exceedingly complicated. Yet there is some convergence across research that exposure to certain pesticides increases the risk of developing some cancers.
The association that has been in the blinding spotlight for the past few years is between exposures to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides and the risk of developing cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Beyond Pesticides has covered the mounting evidence of the dangers of glyphosate, including a meta-study that suggests a compelling link between exposures to glyphosate-based herbicides and increased risk of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
In addition, Beyond Pesticides has traced the developments in the science and regulatory arena, including:
- The IARC 2015 landmark designation of glyphosate as potentially carcinogenic.
- Evidence that EPA colluded with Monsanto (maker of Roundup, the most widely used glyphosate-based herbicide) to advantage industry and that Monsanto had ghostwritten research that countered scientific conclusions on the cancer associations of the compound.
- California’s 2017 listing of glyphosate under Proposition 65 as a probable carcinogen and a 2018 Appellate Court affirmation of its ability to do so.
Glyphosate has been the subject of public advocacy, regulatory attention and the target of thousands of lawsuits. (Beyond Pesticides has covered the glyphosate tragedy extensively; see its litigation archives for multiple articles on glyphosate lawsuits.)
In June 2020, facing approximately 125,000 suits for Roundup’s role in cancer outcomes, Bayer announced a $10 billion settlement to resolve roughly 75% of current and potential future litigation.
However, roughly 30,000 complainants ultimately did not sign on to the settlement, so the queue of potential lawsuits is still potentially enormous.
Although Bayer tried for a second settlement (~ $2 billion) to handle future claims, a U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of California rejected Bayer’s 2021 settlement proposal. The judge stated that the settlement was inadequate for future victims diagnosed with cancer after using the herbicide.
Bayer has never acknowledged any harm caused by glyphosate, maintaining the chemical is safe for use.
However, in July 2021, Bayer announced its plan to end sales of its glyphosate-based herbicides (including its flagship product, Roundup) in the domestic U.S. residential lawn and garden market in 2023. Under the plan, uses in food production will continue.
The results of the systemic review highlight an all too familiar issue. Despite these concerning data, evidence of widespread exposure to a carcinogen has failed to sway regulators at EPA, necessitating meaningful change by elected officials to reform pesticide law.
Scientists highlight epidemiological evidence associating glyphosate with blood cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma and strong evidence of carcinogenicity in laboratory animal research brought on by genotoxicity (DNA damage) and oxidative stress.
In 2015, the IARC Working Group demonstrated glyphosate has strong evidence of genotoxicity (KC2) and oxidative stress (KC5). However, recent studies providing additional data support evidence of KC2 and KC5, as well as epigenetic changes (KC4), chronic inflammation (KC6) and endocrine disruption (KC8) regarding glyphosate and GBF.
Thus, glyphosate presents evidence of all five KCs of carcinogens. Although there is limited or inadequate evidence for the remaining KCs, the review encourages further examination of the effects of glyphosate and other chemicals through all 10 KCs and its relation to lymphoid cancers.
The study concludes:
“Overall, the mechanistic evidence for glyphosate and GBF possessing multiple key characteristics of carcinogens has become stronger since IARC’s evaluation in 2015 and implicates several pathways by which these substances could induce cancer, such as lymphoma, in humans.
“Our understanding of glyphosate’s effects using the KCs paves the way for exploring the intricate mechanisms underlying its potential pathway to lymphoma.”
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with over eight million people succumbing to the disease every year. Notably, IARC predicts an increase in new cancer cases from 19.3 million to 30.2 million per year by 2040.
Therefore, studies related to pesticides and cancer will aid in understanding the underlying mechanisms that cause the disease.
Beyond Pesticides challenges the registration of chemicals like glyphosate in court due to their impacts on soil, air, water and our health.
While legal battles press on, government officials must eliminate the use of toxic synthetic herbicides to avoid the adverse effects of chemical exposure and contamination.
Instead, emphasis on converting to regenerative-organic systems, using least-toxic pest control to mitigate harmful pesticide use, restore soil health, reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon sequestration should be the main focus.
Public policy must advance a shift to organic, rather than allow unnecessary reliance on pesticides.
Considering glyphosate levels in the human body decrease by 70% through a one-week switch to an organic diet, purchasing organic food whenever possible — which never allows glyphosate use — can help curb exposure and resulting adverse health effects.
It is essential to understand the health implications of pesticide use and exposure for humans, especially when pesticides increase chronic disease risk.
Beyond Pesticides tracks news and studies related to pesticides through the Daily News Blog and Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database. This database supports the clear need for strategic action to shift from pesticide dependency.
For more information on the adverse effects of pesticides on human health, see pages on cancer (including lymphoma) and other diseases.
Moreover, Beyond Pesticides provides tools, information and support to take local action: check out our factsheet on glyphosate/Roundup and our report “Monsanto’s Roundup (Glyphosate) Exposed.”
Contact us for help with local efforts and stay informed of developments through our Daily News Blog and our journal Pesticides and You.
Additionally, check out Carey Gillam’s talk on Monsanto’s corruption on glyphosate/Roundup at Beyond Pesticides’ 36th National Pesticide Forum.
Help convert your town to organic land management through Beyond Pesticides’ Parks for a Sustainable Future program.
Originally published by Beyond Pesticides.
