Posted on 04/09/2010 7:48:14 PM PDT by truthfinder9
To protect our health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets maximum legal residue levels for every pesticide, for dozens of crops. But a new study in the respected journal Toxicology has shown that, at low levels that are currently legal on our food, Roundup could cause DNA damage, endocrine disruption and cell death. The study, conducted by French researchers, shows glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic to human reproductive cells.
The potential real-life risks from this are infertility, low sperm count, and prostate or testicular cancer. But, “Symptoms could be so subtle, they would be easy to overlook,” says Theo Colborn, president of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange. “Timing is of critical importance. If a pregnant woman were to be exposed early in gestation, it looks like these herbicides could have an effect during the sexual differentiation stage. They really lock in on testosterone.” The bottom line is more research is needed before we can fully understand the effects of glyphosate exposure.
A Perfect Poison The researchers’ most disturbing findings were not only the cytotoxic and hormonal responses to low-dose exposures, but the fact that the “active” ingredient — glyphosate — had much less of a toxic impact alone than the branded chemical mixtures sold to homeowners and farmers nationwide.
Solvents and surfactants, legally considered “inert ingredients,” are mixed with glyphosate in products such as Roundup weed killer to create chemical formulations that increase mobility and more direct access to the cells. “Those same factors that aid penetration into a plant, also aid penetration into the skin,” says Vincent Garry, professor emeritus of pathology at the University of Minnesota. “These chemicals are designed to kill cells.”
Despite being termed “inert,” these added (and usually secret) ingredients are anything but benign, as the manufacturers have claimed for decades. The new French research found the surfactants not only amplify the effects of glyphosate, but glyphosate also amplifies the effects of the surfactants. Basically, one plus one equals something larger than two.
Herbicide manufacturers are subject to fewer rules in the testing of inert ingredients than they are for active ingredients, explains Caroline Cox, research director at the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland, Calif. “The tests the EPA requires for inert ingredients cover only a small range of potential health problems,” Cox says. “Testing for birth defects, cancer and genetic damage are required only on the active ingredients. But we’re exposed to both.”
Glyphosate, mostly in the form of Roundup products manufactured by the Monsanto Co., has been widely used in the United States since the 1970s. Today, we spray more than 100 million pounds on our yards and farms every year, making it the most popular of the Monsanto chemicals. Monsanto continues to assure us its product is safe. “It’s used to protect schools,” a Monsanto spokesperson told Scientific American. Protect schools?! From what, killer weeds?
Glyphosate use has skyrocketed in recent years because of the widespread adoption of genetically modified corn, soy and cotton varieties that Monsanto developed to be resistant to glyphosate, according to the Center for Food Safety. Although the companies promoted glyphosate-resistant crops as a way to reduce herbicide use, there’s actually been a sharp increase in use on corn, soybeans and cotton since 2002, thanks to the emergence of resistant weeds. Farmers are battling glyphosate-resistant weeds with more glyphosate and other herbicides.
Most of the food we eat that contains corn or soy was sprayed with glyphosate herbicide, and we’re being exposed to higher and higher levels of residue. In response to petitions from Monsanto, the EPA has approved up to 20-fold increases in the legal residue limits for food crops.
“Our bodies are gigantic spider webs of chemical communications that work in the parts-per-trillion range,” says Warren Porter, professor of zoology and environmental toxicology at the University of Wisconsin. “When you put so-called ‘insignificant’ amounts of toxic chemicals into the mix, you have a molecular bull in a china shop. The possibilities for impact are endless.”
Better Testing Coming In response to growing public concerns, the EPA is getting ready to launch new tests on 67 potential endocrine disruptors. Critics say the proposed tests will cover only a portion of organs in the endocrine system, but supporters say it is at least a step in the right direction.
I use Roundup as a seasoning agent when cooking. It helps to tenderize my beef brisket.
Delicious.
Dear Mother Earth News,
I don’t drink Round Up. I use it on weeds.
You know what is more dangerous than drinking Round Up? Ingesting all the crap Mother Earth News puts out in their leftist rag.
Over and Out....
Does that mean we can stop spraying coca fields in Columbia and make Chavez happy...or does it mean we will be paying Columbia a helluva lot of money because we harmed them.
Oops, we’ve sprayed Afghanistan, too.
If Global Warming doesn’t shake the dollars from the US, they’ll find something.
“Does that mean we can stop spraying coca fields in Columbia and make Chavez......”
Wow!! Good Points there!!!
If the impact on reproduction is so great then why are there abortions and why are there still unwanted animals in shelters.
imagine a weaponized version.
Your stories of your relatives reminds me of my dad. Great Depression, no dad, alcoholic mother who died when he was 16. Evil/dumb as dirt step father during some of his growing up years that tried to kill him twice. Terrible sunburns. Rubbed dirt into his wounds. Probably exposed to every kind of virus and bacteria growing up due to poor sanitation. Asbestos fire suits in the military. Vietnam. Smoked. Chews tobacco. Drinks his whole life. Alzheimer’s. Colitis. Other ailments. He’ll be 80 this August.
Ever hear of “Roundup-Ready” soybeans?
That reminds me. I’ve got to spray the weeds in the side yard tomorrow.
I practically take a bath in that crap every year...I’m still here.
The Roundup line of products (including genetically modified crop seeds that are resistant to the herbicide) represents half of Monsanto’s profits. You probably eat a lot of Roundup.
The genetically modified roundup seeds often contaminate non-GMO crops, then Monsanto can sue the farmer for patent infringement (as an “unauthorized user” of Monsanto seed). Monsanto makes 90% of the world’s genetically modified seeds.
In my opinion, one of the few things the federal govt should do is to prevent a monopoly from endangering the world food supply. But Monsanto is part of the Washington establishment, and so they are immune.
Before I wanted to put field corn in our deer feeders, I had batches from 3 different fields tested for pesticides and herbicides. The tests were negative.
Glyphosates break down rather quickly in the sun and daily weather. I use them regularly on my property, both in the yard and out in pastures and wooded trails. We've found them to be very safe and effective.
I’m going to mix up a tank of Roundup this morning. Hope I survive. I’ll probably mix up some pesticides too, might as well make a day of it.
Real men drink a round up/Agent Orange cocktail and a beer chaser with their breakfast.
What's happened?!
I saw a man mix up some Roundup and drink a swig to demonstrate it’s safety many years ago. I wouldn’t do it but it sure demonstrated a faith in the safety of his product.
That is all we plant, no hoeing bill.
She was getting shorter everyday, humped over almost double, she now just looks like she has horrible posture. You would just have to see her before and after.
That’s great to hear!
I’m on Actonel because I’m at risk. (BTW, I prefer Actonel because that silly Sally Field isn’t its annoying TV spokesgirl, the wait time for food and normal water consumption is 30 minutes vs. 60 minutes, and it’s cheaper.)
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