Roundup is used in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and landscaping. It is used to control weeds, grasses, and other unwanted plants. It is also used to desiccate crops before harvesting. Roundup has been on the market for over 40 years and has become one of the most popular herbicides due to its , low cost, and easy availability.
However, Roundup has been the subject of controversy in recent years. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified takes-to-start–working” title=”How Long Does Roundup Takes to Start Working”>glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. The IARC’s classification was based on studies that showed an association between glyphosate and an increased risk of cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
In addition, there have been concerns about the environmental impact of Roundup. Glyphosate has been found in soil, water, and air. It can also harm non-target organisms such as bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Roundup has been linked to the decline of monarch butterflies, which rely on milkweed for their survival. Milkweed is one of the plants that Roundup can kill.
The controversy surrounding Roundup has led to several lawsuits against Monsanto. In 2018, a California jury awarded $289 million in damages to a former school groundskeeper who claimed that Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The award was later reduced to $78 million. There are currently thousands of similar lawsuits pending against Monsanto.
The controversy surrounding Roundup has also led to regulatory action. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a group 2A carcinogen, which means that it is probably carcinogenic to humans. In 2017, the European Union renewed the license for glyphosate for five years, but several countries, including France, have since banned its use. In 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.
Despite the controversy surrounding Roundup, it continues to be widely used. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the United States. It is estimated that over 250 million pounds of glyphosate are used each year in the U.S. alone.
There are alternatives to Roundup that are less controversial. For example, there are natural herbicides that use ingredients such as vinegar, salt, and citrus oil to kill weeds. There are also mechanical methods of weed control, such as hoeing and mulching.
In conclusion, Roundup is a widely used herbicide that has been the subject of controversy due to concerns about its safety and environmental impact. While glyphosate has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the IARC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared that it is not a carcinogen. Regardless of its safety, there are alternatives to Roundup that are less controversial and more environmentally friendly.