Glyphosate 2

also see wildlife section//birds, glyphosate,  climate change, Safety of Pesticides, health/cancer/ links. health/cardiovascular, mental health, nervous system effects, health/endocrine disruption, DNA damage and cancer/links 2, immune, Legal/litigation,  issues/forestry /herbicides, pesticides in food p.2, water,  forestry/ herbicides,  Industry Shenanigans/Regulatory and Legal including preemption laws

One of World’s Largest Dementia Clusters in Young People May Be Tied to High Blood Levels of Glyphosate  (Beyond Pesticides, September 3, 2024)    This article details the saga of getting to the bottom of New Brunswick cluster of neurological disease cases.   Enough evidence to get federal money to investigate but  'the investigation of the potential cluster and its possible explanations was rapidly derailed by intergovernmental turf wars in which one combatant was determined to make the problem go away. Within 20 months of the federal investigative study startup, the project was shut down by provincial authorities.'  Certainly worth a read.

Bayer push to block lawsuits (The New Lede, 11 July 2024)    'In an effort to block further litigation, the chemical giant has turned its focus to getting federal and state legislation passed to block Roundup users from suing the company for damages. According to a recent Washington Post article, Bayer helped draft language for a legislative measure that would limit the types of lawsuits brought by the Roundup users. That measure is included in the US House of Representatives version of the 2024 Farm Bill, which is slated to be finalized later this year. The company has also been pushing lawmakers in several states to pass similar measures.      Key to Bayer’s messaging to legislators is that, because glyphosate is EPA-approved, research showing its harms should be rejected. But the process by which the EPA approved glyphosate decades ago has never been reassuring to independent scientists such as myself. EPA scientists conducting initial assessments of glyphosate in the 1980’s discovered several mice dosed with the pesticide developed rare kidney tumors, prompting the scientists to confirm the pesticide’s link to cancer.     Then the EPA’s pesticides office did what it often does: It ignored the troubling research and the recommendation of its own scientists and approved the pesticide without acknowledging its documented link to cancer.      Even the EPA’s subsequent assessments and reapprovals of the pesticide, required every 15 years, have been plagued by questionable science. In 2022 a federal appeals court ruled that the agency’s finding that glyphosate has no link to cancer violated its own Cancer Guidelines and “was not supported by substantial evidence.”       SNAP Comment:  I find the conclusion 'The disturbing revelation that consumers simply cannot trust that a pesticide is safe simply because it gets the EPA’s stamp of approval.' is made by someone who does not know the history. It used to be a stated part of regulatory agencies policy (including the Canadian PMRA) that registration was not equivalent to safety because pesticides were designed to kill... The regulatory approach has been to reduce concentration and rate  or frequenccy of application and set up some type of safety factor rather than ban a substance. None of these approaches have been showln to be sufficient to reduce risk. That is why many pesticides have finally been banned. 

filed under Industry Shenanigans/Regulatory and Legal including preemption laws and glyphosate 2

Toxic Effects of Glyphosate on the Nervous System: A Systematic Review   (by Carmen Costas-Ferreira et al, International Journal of Molecular Science, 21 April 2022)   The information provided indicates that exposure to glyphosate or its commercial formulations induces several neurotoxic effects. It has been shown that exposure to this pesticide during the early stages of life can seriously affect normal cell development by deregulating some of the signaling pathways involved in this process, leading to alterations in differentiation, neuronal growth, and myelination. Glyphosate also seems to exert a significant toxic effect on neurotransmission and to induce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, processes that lead to neuronal death due to autophagy, necrosis, or apoptosis, as well as the appearance of behavioral and motor disorders. The doses of glyphosate that produce these neurotoxic effects vary widely but are lower than the limits set by regulatory agencies. ... it is unequivocal that exposure to glyphosate produces important alterations in the structure and function of the nervous system of humans, rodents, fish, and invertebrates.

Campaign calls on province to ban glyphosate spraying     Use of herbicide in Northern Ont. forests impacts wildlife and threatens human health, say Anishinabek critics   (by Jim Moodie, Sudbury Star,  Aug 19, 2024)     'Since glyphosate has been applied as an aerial herbicide, elders “have observed dramatic changes in moose, deer, muskrat and other forest life, as jack pine plantations began replacing mixed forests,” according to the release.      Together, the opponents of the herbicide spraying assembled a petition counting more than 300,000 signatures.    Gelinas noted Quebec actually has far more hydro infrastructure than Ontario, exporting its power to the U.S. as well as domestically, but their utility is still profitable, without relying on the chemical. Meanwhile 'umerous First Nations people are employed to clear brush manually from transmission lines.'

New Glyphosate studies find risks with “on-label” preharvest use (Safe Food Matters, 5 September 2024)     'Preharvest use of glyphosate on malting barley “should not be a recommended practice”, according to the conclusion of a recent field trial report, because it risks “the quality and residue status” of the grain.   The study was conducted to assess preharvest use on barley at different rates and stages of crop maturity. The unexpected finding was that maximum residue limits (MRLs) of glyphosate were exceeded, “even when glyphosate was applied at the recommended level … and time”. In other words, even when spray label directions were followed.'     Pre-harvest use is currenetly banned in Europe. 

Most of the glyphosate in European rivers may not come from farming, researchers suggest  (by Universitaet Tübingen, Phys Org, 26 July, 2024)     In Europe, the seasonal water concentrations of glyphosate in water were mostly constant and not related to pattern of use.  'Initial laboratory tests have now been completed and confirm the hypothesis of glyphosate formation in wastewater treatment plants from this laundry additive.' (aminopolyphosphonates). 'However, there is also some good news: "We do not see glyphosate formation when we simulate conditions directly in the washing machine." '   'The situation in the U.S. is different from that in the EU; concentration patterns of glyphosate in U.S. river water closely follow those of other herbicides, indicating a dominant agricultural input. In contrast to Europe, aminopolyphosphonates are hardly used in the U.S. in laundry detergents.'   SNAP Comment: This illustrates the problem of using sewage sludge to grow food, a widely accepted practice.

Le glyphosate affecterait la réponse immunitaire montre une étude (Radio-Canada, 21Mai 2023)   Healthy tissue degradation?    "The herbicide #glyphosate alters the functioning of the human immune system, according to a new Quebec study. #Autoimmune disorders may appear after prolonged exposure. »."As a reminder: Glyphosate is the best-selling herbicide in the world." Between 1994 and 2014, the amounts used annually increased from 16 million kilograms to 79 million kilograms. Glyphosate and its metabolites can be detected in 80% of the population. They are found in many organs, in human blood and milk. The body eliminates these products in 48 hours, but we continuously ingest them through our diet. »

Gluten-Free Food Test Results (posted by Zen Honeycutt, Moms Across America, 10 June 2024)     This article also presents a summary of results, gluten content regulatory levels and that, "across the board, the samples are extremely low in each mineral based on the FDA Recommended Daily Values and accurate serving sizes per category". Results of glyphosate and pesticides:

• 44 out of 46 of the samples came back positive for glyphosate.
• Out of the 237 pesticides we tested for, glyphosate was the most prevalent.
• Not all of the gluten-free products that were also organic were the lowest in glyphosate.
• 21% of the samples were positive for glyphosate at levels higher than 10 ppb, the EU threshold for acceptable glyphosate residues.
• According to Don Huber, Purdue University Emeritus and plant pathologist of 60 years, exposure to .1 ppb of glyphosate is harmful and should be avoided. 95.6% of the samples contained higher than .1 ppb of glyphosate.
• 100% of the samples contained trace levels or higher of pesticides. 7 samples (15%) contained only trace levels.

The highest level of glyphosate in gluten-free food tested was in Banza Chickpea pasta. 2,4-D was the second most prevalent pesticide. SNAP Comment: US study. Not all brands are present in Canada and if one eats these alternative products, one may need an additional mineral supplement.

Digging deep into herbicide impact on forest ecosystems (UNBC Stories, 12 February 2024)          Ecosystem Science and Management Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Wood has garnered an Alliance Society grant ... to lead a five-year project aimed at better understanding the extent of the impact of glyphosate-based herbicides on forest systems.       While consistently finding glyphosate residues in forest plants in past studies, Wood and her collaborators have also documented a reduction in forest foods for wildlife, changes in the chemistry of residual foods present after treatment and they’ve noted how environmental conditions such as temperature and photoperiod impact residue breakdown. Building on that body of work, this new project will delve into if, and how, changes to forest vegetation influence the health of wildlife at different levels in the food chain.     “We’re focusing on how GBH influences gut bacteria and hormones in organisms in the ‘wild’ forest food web, which is a new direction as previous studies of this type have been conducted in more controlled settings.”

Loss of Chromosome Y in Male Farmers Genotoxic Implications for Cancer    (Beyond Pesticides, January 3, 2024) A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives finds elevated, chronic exposure to glyphosate throughout one’s lifetime increases the risk of mosaic loss of chromosome Y (loss of chromosome Y occurs to many men in some cells due to aging mLOY) that impacts a noticeable fraction of cells... the risk of mLOY is a biomarker for genotoxicity (the damage of genetic information within a cell causing mutations from chemical exposure, which may lead to cancer) and expansion of cellular response to glyphosate, resulting in the precursor for hematological (blood) cancers. This study is one of the first to identify sex-specific chromosome degradation, with stark evidence demonstrating links to various cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma.   The results find that mLOY is detectable in 21.4 percent of farmers, with mLOY expanding throughout most cells in 9.8 percent of farmers. Most farmers with mLOY expanding throughout most cells are older in age, with a greater lifetime exposure and intensity of exposure to glyphosate. However, these individuals are non-smokers and non-obese, which are other risk factors for mLOY.

Low-Dose Chronic Glyphosate Exposure Increases Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease      (Beyond Pesticides, December 21, 2023) A new study published in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology adds to prior research indicating glyphosate promotes the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through diet by causing liver inflammation and oxidative stress. More importantly, the predisposition for NAFLD occurred at levels within toxicological limits, which are doses of glyphosate classified as causing no adverse effects or No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL).  NAFLD is a condition that causes swelling of the liver and can eventually lead to cirrhosis, cancer, or liver failure.    Health officials estimate about 100 million individuals in the U.S. have NAFLD, with NAFLD being the most common liver disease among children. Cases of NAFLD have doubled over the past 20 years.   However, glyphosate did increase the rate (upregulation) of 212 genes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver while downregulating 731 genes related to cell division. Mouse study. 

Prenatal and Early Life Exposure to Glyphosate Herbicides Induce Hormonal Effects Disrupting Sleep and Neurodegenerative Diseases    (Beyond Pesticides, December 6, 2023) 'A study published in Antioxidants finds prenatal and early life exposure, usually after birth (perinatal), to glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) induce oxidative stress in the brain, causing damage and negatively affecting melatonin levels.'     Rat study. 'Researchers analyzed serum melatonin levels and changes in the striatum cells located in the brain among the offspring 90 days after their birth. The results find that serum melatonin levels decrease by 43 percent among adult offspring compared to control offspring. Exposure to GBH also induced oxidative stress in the brain, resulting in changes in the brain’s striatum, including a 45 percent increase in lipid peroxidation, a 39 percent increase in DNA/RNA oxidation, and an increase in protein levels of the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, glutamate–cysteine ligase, and glutathione peroxidase.'

Association between urinary glyphosate levels and serum neurofilament light chain in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013-2014    ( An-Ming Yang  et al, J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2023 Sep 6).This is the first research to suggest an association between glyphosate exposure and biomarkers indicative of neurological damage in general U.S. adults. 

Glyphosate Exposure Linked to Severe Depression and Cognitive Decline in American Adults (Sustainable Pulse, Aug 29, 2023)    'A new peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Environmental Research, has revealed an astonishingly strong link between severe depression, cognitive decline and exposure to the world’s most used herbicide, glyphosate. The study authors stated, "“Our study used a cohort representative of the U.S. adult general population and found a significant negative correlation between urinary glyphosate levels and cognitive function test scores. Additionally, our findings suggest that the odds of having severe depressive symptoms were significantly higher than having no symptoms in individuals with higher glyphosate levels, as measured by the PHQ-9."    Industry has not conducted any long-term neurotoxicity studies on Roundup, the substance that people and animals are actually exposed to. Some other recent independent studies however suggest that both glyphosate alone and glyphosate-based herbicides such as Roundup are neurotoxins.   A toxicological study on rats found that glyphosate depleted the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.'   original article 

Zebrafish Study Links Glyphosate Exposure to Heart Damage Through Aging and Reduced Creation of Cardiac Muscle Cells    (Beyond Pesticides, June 30, 2023) 'Exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of the herbicide glyphosate (GLY) has the potential to induce heart damage (cardiotoxicity) through the aging (senescence) of cells and a reduction of the number of rapidly increasing (proliferating) cells, according to a study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Specifically, glyphosate induces toxic effects on cardiomyocytes (cardiac muscles) responsible for contractions that pump the blood.' Cardiovascular (heart) disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. 

Mapping the key characteristics of carcinogens for glyphosate and its formulations: A systematic review  (Iemaan Rana et al, Chemosphere, 2023. The link goes to ScienceDirect for free access.) New scoping review strengthens glyphosate carcinogen connection claim.

On June 13, 2023, Safe Food Matters returns to Federal Court in its ongoing battle with Health Canada over glyphosate, Canada’s most widely used herbicide.   'Why? Because something’s not right. In February, 2022, the Federal Court of Appeal ordered the PMRA to review our “Notice of Objection” for a second time – and the Court even provided “Guidance” to PMRA on how to address the issues. But PMRA did not follow the Guidance. Even more, PMRA bent over backward to not address the concerns we raised. PMRA rewrote history. PMRA made up totally new legal tests. PMRA reached for rebuttals without evidence. PMRA defied the rules of procedural fairness. It is clear PMRA does not want a review panel, even though the law allows for it.   Watch the Hearing: We would appreciate your support by watching the virtual hearing. It starts at 9:30 am PST, 12:30 EST and is scheduled for the full day. Go to this link for the calendar of hearings for June 13 (link in link), and scroll down to the Ottawa hearing for the case, and select the icon “register for the hearing” which looks like a pen on paper. Our case is Safe Food Matters Inc. v. The Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Health Docket T-2292-22.  Our counsel is Jason Gratl.  The filings for the Motion will be on our website, under Filings for case T-2292-22.'

Poisoning Regulation, Research, Health, and the Environment: The Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Case in Canada   (by Marie-Hélène Bacon et al, Toxics 2023, 11(2), 121; Published: 26 January 2023)  Abstract:   'Glyphosate-Based Herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used pesticides on the planet as well as in Canada, where a total of almost 470 million kilograms of declared “active” ingredient glyphosate was sold between 2007 and 2018. GBHs accounted for 58% of pesticides used in the agriculture sector in Canada in 2017. While the independent scientific literature on the harmful health and environmental impacts of pesticides such as GBHs is overwhelming, Canada has only banned 32 “active” pesticide ingredients out of 531 banned in 168 countries, and reapproved GBHs in 2017 until 2032. This article, based on interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, will analyze how as a result of the scientific and regulatory captures of relevant Canadian agencies by the pesticide industry, the Canadian regulation and scientific assessment of pesticides are deficient and lagging behind other countries, using the GBH case as a basis for analysis.'

Glyphosate Weed Killers Reduce Crop Yields and Hamper Climate Mitigation Efforts(Beyond Pesticides, February 15, 2023) Finnish study of two separate experiments on the grass Festuca pratensis, an important forage crop grown for grazing animals throughout the world. For all experiments and plot variables, none saw glyphosate use have a positive impact on yield or biomass.   (E)ven among uncut grasses, those grown in glyphosate-sprayed soils showed the lowest root biomass. Chlorophyll content also followed this pattern, with those in the most intensively cut grouping showing the lowest content if also grown in soils where glyphosate was applied.  “This demonstrates a tremendous limitation to the potential carbon binding and storage belowground when soils are polluted by pesticide."

Garden pesticides are contributing to British songbird decline, study finds (Helena Horton, The Guardian, 6 february 2023)   The study was published in the journal ??Science of the Total Environment. 'The experiment, which surveyed 615 gardens in Britain, found 25% fewer house sparrows when glyphosate was used regularly. This is an ingredient found in commonly used herbicide brands such as Roundup or Gallup.   Slug pellets also seemed to have an impact on bird sightings; in gardens where metaldehyde slug pellets were used, house sparrow numbers were down by almost 40%.    Prof Dave Goulson, of the school of life sciences at the University of Sussex, said: “The UK has 22 million gardens, which collectively could be a fantastic refuge for wildlife, but not if they are overly tidy and sprayed with poisons. We just don’t need pesticides in our gardens. Many towns around the world are now pesticide free.”'