Study Links Glyphosate To Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Study Links Glyphosate To Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Introduction

Last month, a study was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Chemosphere in which Chilean researchers stated that glyphosate, the active component of the most commonly used herbicide, Roundup, meets at least 8 key characteristics (KCs) of an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC).

EDC also referred to as endocrine disruptors, hormonally active agents, or endocrine-disrupting compounds, interferes with the hormonal system and causes cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen in March 2015. Since then, the concerns associated with the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and certain other cancers has been growing among its users.

In the recent study, the researchers compared the properties of glyphosate to 10 KCs of guidelines proposed in the expert consensus statement published in 2020 that help to classify endocrine disruptors. The researchers concluded that although 8 KCs were satisfied, prospective cohort studies are further required to clarify whether glyphosate is an EDC.

In the legal world, attorneys representing Bayer filed a joint Case Management Statement and Litigation Plan earlier this month, indicating that the company missed the deadline set by the court to settle thousands of Roundup lawsuits.

The company also issued a third-quarter report in the same week, indicating a challenging quarter impacted substantially by the Covid-19 pandemic and the legal action over Roundup.

Currently, Bayer is facing approximately 125,000 filed and unfiled claims. The lawsuits are presided by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria under MDL No. 2741 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.