On March 20th, 2020, multiple parties filed federal lawsuits against the EPA for the re-approval of glyphosate. The parties include the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), Pesticide Action Network, and the Center for Food Safety (CFS). Glyphosate is the main active ingredient in the popular herbicide Roundup®. The chemical was reapproved for use in January 2020 and organizations are acting against it.
How is Glyphosate Harming People?
Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that acts as the active ingredient in popular weed control products like Roundup®. Over the past decade, people have made numerous claims that humans exposed to the chemical compound have developed severe illnesses. These include cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and even birth defects. The EPA defends glyphosate by claiming it does not cause cancer. But further research provides scientific evidence that the alleged toxin is potentially harmful to people and the environment. Furthermore, in 2015, the World Health Organization declared that the chemical called glyphosate, in Roundup®, is “probably carcinogenic to humans”. Over the past 11 years, people have filed over 40,000 lawsuits against Monsanto for Roundup®. The cases claim severe illnesses have developed from the exposure of glyphosate. Thus far, judges have awarded approximately $80 million a few claimants.
How is Glyphosate Harmful to the Environment?
Studies provide evidence of the effect of glyphosate as harmful to humans. Additionally, there are also claims that the active ingredient is potentially hazardous to the environment and surrounding wildlife. One of glyphosate’s alleged impact on the environment is the negative side effects on bees. Furthermore, bees are our society’s biggest pollinator for production and food supply. Research states, “Exposing bees to glyphosate alters the bee gut community and increases susceptibility to infection by opportunistic pathogens”. Honeybees are our main source of flower pollination. Unfortunately, the bees are exposed to the supposedly harmful chemical that is delivered all throughout and on various crops.
Honeybees are a crucial part of our food source and agriculture. NRDC states, “One out of every three bites of food we eat, every day, every week, is dependent on bees for pollination”. Additionally, findings have shown the main cause of the bee’s fast decline is linked to many pesticides and herbicides. They are harmful to their bodies and environment, including glyphosate.
Butterflies are one of our best pollinators. They occupy many crops and flowers. It was found that butterflies are being harmed by the possible toxic herbicide. Over the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population has decreased as much as 80% because of environmental corruption.
Furthermore, over the years glyphosate has been killing the milkweed plant. Milkweed is what the monarch caterpillar eats and needs to survive. Because bees and butterflies are dying, future crops will not pollinate properly.
The Lawsuit
The Center for Food and Safety has decided to file on behalf of an allied group of farms and environmentalists. At this time, they are taking legal action against the EPA for not protecting farmworkers, pollinators, and other surrounding species. The group includes Beyond Pesticides, the Rural Coalition, Organización en California de Lideres Campesinas, and the Farmworker Association of Florida. Farmers are constantly exposing themselves to pesticides/herbicides. These organizations believe that farmers deserve care and protection. Consequently, they believe the EPA has failed to provide them with a safe environment with the re-approval of glyphosate in the weed killer, Roundup®.
Are you Being Affected?
People all over the country are filing lawsuits suing Roundup® for potentially causing severe illnesses. Additionally, people are receiving large sums of money for their illnesses. If you have exposed yourself to Roundup® and developed severe illnesses you will need legal help. When looking for someone to represent you, you want to make sure they have history dealing with mass tort cases and were successful. For more information, click here on what to do next. Also, if you are looking for more information about how mass torts work, follow this link for more information.