You may have recently read or heard about the growing number of lawsuits involving Roundup, a popular but potentially deadly outdoor product. Thousands of people have filed suit against the manufacturer, resulting in millions of dollars in penalties. In our latest blog, Litner + Deganian is taking a closer look at Roundup: what is it, what are the associated health problems, and who is at risk.
What is Roundup?
Roundup is a chemical used to kill weeds in residential and agricultural areas. A company called Monsanto introduced the product in 1974; it is now owned by Bayer. Marketed as biodegradable and environmentally friendly, Roundup is one of the world’s most popular herbicides. However, the product contains a dangerous ingredient called glyphosate, which can cause devastating effects on humans, animals, and on the environment in general. To date, more than 14,000 lawsuits have been filed against Monsanto related to Roundup’s safety risks.
Risk Factors: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Roundup
The International Agency for Research on Cancer reported in 2015 that exposure to Roundup could lead to cancer. The weed killer has been linked to the onset of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (also known as NHL), a deadly cancer that begins in the blood and attacks the lymph system – the system which helps fight infection and disease in the body. In 2017, the California Environmental Protection Agency declared the Roundup ingredient glyphosate a known human carcinogen.
In addition to NHL, Roundup has been linked to other cancers such as:
- B- or T-Cell Lymphoma
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Hairy Cell Lymphoma
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma
If you have previously worked with or been exposed to Roundup, and you are suffering any of the previous health conditions, the weed killer may be responsible for your illness.
Who Is At Risk?
Roundup has affected the health of thousands of people in the US, and even more worldwide. In addition to those who use Roundup on their landscaping and gardens, three groups are particularly vulnerable to the chemicals. The first group is farmers and agricultural workers, who may be at a dangerously high risk because of the amount and frequency of weed killer chemicals they are exposed to. The second group includes groundskeepers, who typically use weed killers and herbicides as part of their daily responsibilities. Finally, the third group is children. Not only do children have a vulnerable immune system to begin with, but also, studies have shown that if a child’s parents were exposed to Roundup shortly before the child’s birth, the child might be more likely to develop brain cancer.
Roundup Lymphoma Attorneys at Litner + Deganian
Glyphosate is banned in 29 countries, but not in the US. As a result, countless consumers and their families are unnecessarily putting themselves at risk every day. If you, or someone you know, has been exposed to Roundup and has been diagnosed with a related illness or disease, you should contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Litner + Deganian. You may be entitled to damages due to pain, suffering, medical bills, and missed wages. We offer free consultations at our office, which is conveniently located in Druid Hills near Emory and Decatur.
