GLYPHOSATE. A Probable Carcinogen (2015)

N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine the active ingredient in many herbicides.

Internationally, there are an increasing number of reports of glyphosate residues in the human food chain and drinking water sources, and in soil, air and rain, and of its role, alone or in tandem with other chemicals, in diseases in humans, animals and crops.

In March 2015, 17 experts from 11 countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC; Lyon, France) to assess the carcinogenicity of the organophosphate pesticides tetrachlorvinphos, parathion, malathion, diazinon, and glyphosate.

Among other effects, the group found:

Glyphosate has been detected in the blood and urine of agricultural workers, indicating absorption;
Soil microbes degrade glyphosate to aminomethylphosphoric acid (AMPA);
Blood AMPA detection after poisonings suggests intestinal microbial metabolism in humans;
Glyphosate and glyphosate formulations induced DNA and chromosomal damage in mammals, and in human and animal cells in vitro;
One study reported increases in blood markers of chromosomal damage (micronuclei) in residents of several communities after spraying of glyphosate formulations;
Glyphosate, glyphosate formulations, and AMPA induced oxidative stress in rodents and in vitro.

The group classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A).

PSGR calls on New Zealand’s central and local government and regulatory authorities to:

Ban the application of glyphosate-based herbicides;
Ban processed or unprocessed glyphosate-resistant transgenic crops; and
Ban imported glyphosate-resistant feed.

Where it falls within their jurisdiction to:

Establish substantive independent safety studies on all agri-chemicals used in New Zealand, especially glyphosate-based herbicides; and
Rescind approvals and reject future applications for approval for transgenic foods and food additives containing any measure of glyphosate.

Appendix One presents details of glyphosate-related adverse effects, looking at the human, animal and physical environment. The detailed results and/or findings from studies and first-hand experience far from exhaust the material available. It provides reasons why:

Central and local government and regulators should place a total ban on the use of glyphosate to protect the New Zealand environment and to ensure it does not enter the human food chain or animal feed, or drinking or other water sources; and
New Zealand should continue to reject having glyphosate-resistant genetically engineered organisms in the environment.

Appendix Two provides alternatives to the use of glyphosate-based herbicides.

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Reviewed by Meriel Watts, PhD; Coordinator Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa NZ

GLYPHOSATE. A Probable Carcinogen (2015)

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