Cancer Day is a time to reflect on the impact of this devastating disease and the steps we can take to prevent it. As a trial attorney for personal injury and mass tort cases, I’ve seen firsthand the toll that cancer can take on individuals and families. One factor that has gained increasing attention in recent years is the potential link between pesticides and cancer.
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill or control pests and weeds. They are commonly found in agriculture, but also in homes, schools, parks, and public spaces. There are many different types of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Some of the most well-known pesticides include glyphosate, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and 2,4-D.
Glyphosate, in particular, has been the subject of much controversy in recent years. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the widely used herbicide Roundup, which is produced by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer). In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen” based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in laboratory animals. Monsanto began selling Roundup in 1974. More than 20 years later, the company developed genetically modified crops (GMOs) that could hold up against exposure to glyphosate. Farmers accepted the idea and began spraying more Roundup. Glyphosate is now used in more than 160 countries, with more than 1.4 billion pounds applied per year. Juries have awarded Plaintiffs in a multitude of product liability lawsuits punitive and compensatory damages for past and future pain and suffering, finding years of Roundup use likely caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Although the IARC’s classification has been disputed, a body of evidence has suggested such disputes stem from corporate pressure, such as that coming from Monsanto. It is not surprising a growing body of scientific research continues to suggest that exposure to glyphosate may increase the risk of certain cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer.
Studies have also linked other pesticides to cancer. For example, atrazine has been shown to cause mammary tumors in laboratory rats and to disrupt the endocrine system, which controls hormones. Chlorpyrifos has been linked to neurological effects, including reduced IQ and developmental delays in children, and has also been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the IARC.
The connection between pesticides and cancer is of great concern, especially given the widespread use of these chemicals in our environment. It is important to note that many of these pesticides have been in use for decades, and their long-term effects on human health are not yet fully understood. However, the available evidence suggests that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of cancer and that it is important to take steps to minimize exposure where possible. In 2017, California added glyphosate to the list of substances under Proposition 65, its right-to-know law that warns residents about cancer-causing chemicals. Monsanto’s parent company announced it will remove glyphosate-based products from retail store shelves by 2023 to prevent future litigation claims related to the chemical ingredient, however, some have feared the future dangerousness of chemicals it will replace glyphosate with.
This Cancer Day, I encourage everyone to educate themselves about the potential dangers of pesticides and to take steps to reduce their exposure. This may include choosing organic produce, avoiding the use of pesticides in the home, and supporting policies to reduce the use of these chemicals in agriculture and other industries.
As a trial attorney for personal injury and mass tort cases, as well as my own mother who lost her battle with cancer, I have seen the devastating impact of cancer on individuals and families. By taking steps to reduce our exposure to pesticides, we can help to prevent this disease and protect the health of ourselves and our communities.