Exposure to Roundup:
How It Happens & Who Is Exposed:
Many of us have headed out to the backyard to spray some weeds and not thought twice about it. But what happens when a well-known weedkiller is killing people too? You may have seen lawsuits in the news against Monsanto, the manufacturer of the most popular weedkiller in the world Roundup. In August of 2018, in the first of those lawsuits to go to trial, a California jury awarded $289 million to a school groundskeeper who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after repeated exposure to the weedkiller. Again, in March of 2019, another jury awarded more than $80 million to a plaintiff with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who used Roundup on his exotic animal farm for decades. Most recently, a jury awarded more than $2 billion to a couple who were both diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after decades of using Roundup on their properties.
How Are People Exposed to Roundup?
People are generally exposed to Roundup through its use as an herbicide. The product is sprayed on weeds and can be carried through the air, groundwater, and nearby streams, ponds, and lakes. But you may also be exposed through the skin from spills or sprayer leaks or from eating crops treated with Roundup.
Who Is at Risk?
Those most at risk for glyphosate or Roundup exposure include farmers, groundskeepers, landscapers, agricultural workers, and herbicide applicators. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer said that glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, is probably carcinogenic to humans and that it may lead to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
What Can I Do?
If you are required to use Roundup for your job, you should take precautions to limit your exposure while handling Roundup:
- Ensure that your sprayer is not leaking
- Always wear sturdy rubber gloves
- Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants
- Wear socks and closed-toed shoes
- Wear safety glasses with side view protection
- After you apply Roundup, limit access to treated areas for everyone, especially children and pets.
If you experience coughing, trouble breathing, skin irritation, a rash, or skin lesions after applying Roundup, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma or another cancer after using RoundUp, contact us for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and we can help protect your legal rights. Call 888-910-6376.
