In 2017, California declared that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, causes cancer. Following this, the state tried to require that Roundup products display a carcinogen warning label. Monsanto – which owns Roundup – sued, and a federal judge temporarily blocked the requirement for Roundup cancer labels in an ongoing lawsuit.
The Environmental Protection Agency is now siding with Monsanto. Guidance issued by the EPA on August 7 singled out California’s carcinogen warning requirement. The agency declared that these warning labels would “constitute a false and misleading statement” and refused to approve them. As a result, and in light of this determination, the EPA has asked that California submit revised warning language.
The EPA argues that its own findings indicate that glyphosate is not a carcinogen. On the other hand, California’s warning label requirements are based on a 2015 World Health Organization finding. The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Under a consumer right to know law called Proposition 65, California required Roundup cancer labels due to the glyphosate.
The decision is seen as a victory for Monsanto in the ongoing battle between the company and California. A jury in May awarded over $2 billion to a couple who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after years of Roundup exposure. Other juries have also dealt substantial losses for Monsanto.
Roundup is a popular weed killer. However, its link to cancer has started to make headlines over the years. The 2015 IARC conclusion was based on peer-reviewed, publicly available scientific research. On the other hand, some have alleged that Monsanto scientists wrote favorable research pieces that were passed off as independent. Lawsuits have contended that the company knew about the cancer risk for decades but sold it anyway, without Roundup cancer labels.
Farmers, landscapers, and homeowners have used Roundup for decades. As a result, the herbicide has seized a dominant market share and Monsanto has profited handsomely. But this has come at a cost. The popularity of Roundup means potentially thousands of people were exposed to dangerous levels of the probable carcinogen. Glyphosate has been linked to several kinds of cancers, including:
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- B-cell lymphoma
- Breast cancer
- Other types of cancer
Several other health problem have been connected to glyphosate, such as:
- Birth defects
- Celiac disease
- Eye, skin, and respiratory system irritation
- Hormone problems
- Infertility
- Death of human embryonic cells
Roundup has been especially popular in the agricultural sector. Numerous crops, such as soybeans, corn, and cotton, have been genetically modified so they are resistant to glyphosate. Genetic modification has allowed indiscriminate use of Roundup, in large quantities, which kills weeds but not the crops.
Plaintiffs will continue seeking relief in the courts, despite the EPA’s directive. Victims across the country are filing lawsuits alleging harm from glyphosate and Roundup. If you developed health problems after extensive exposure to Roundup, you could be entitled to financial compensation. This may include:
- Past and present medical costs
- Future medical costs for ongoing treatment
- Physical injuries caused by glyphosate
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Damages from inability to return to work
You should seek immediate medical attention for any health problems you are experiencing. Then, start to document your injuries as much as you can. Medical records and evidence of other losses, such as missed time from work, will help build your case. Finally, reach out to the mass tort attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C.
TAKE LEGAL ACTION NOW
Defective and dangerous product lawsuits, such as those involving Roundup, are subject to statutes of limitation. You may lose the ability to file suit if you wait too long. Meanwhile, costs will add up from medical treatments and time away from work. The time to take legal action is now. Call an experienced mass tort lawyer at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. today to get started on your case.
