Glyphosate exposure and your health

Glyphosate is commonly used by homeowners, commercial property owners and landscaping professionals to kill a variety of plants, grasses and other types of vegetation.

While there are many benefits associated with glyphosate, such as its ability to prepare crops for harvest, exposure could have an adverse effect on your health.

Were you exposed to glyphosate?

Even if you do your part in attempting to avoid glyphosate, it’s possible exposure could still occur. For example:

• You may have unknowingly used glyphosate in your yard and/or garden
• A landscape or lawn care professional may have used glyphosate to treat your lawn
• Exposure through your food, such as if a local farmer sprayed crops with glyphosate

Long-term health risk of glyphosate exposure

Generally speaking, short-term exposure to glyphosate won’t have an impact on your overall level of health. However, if you’re exposed to glyphosate over the long run, such as from using it day after day in your job, you’re at greater risk of:

• Cancer: A variety of studies show that glyphosate exposure is linked to cancer. While there is a lot of gray area, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health.
• Reproductive concerns: For example, one study involving pregnant rats shows that those exposed to glyphosate were more likely to have issues with their fetuses.
• Kidney and liver damage: A study of dairy cows that regularly consumed soybeans with glyphosate shows a higher risk of both kidney and liver damage.

Lower your risk

The best way to lower your risk of a glyphosate-related illness is to avoid exposure in the first place. Even if you’ve extensively used products with glyphosates in the past, stop doing so right away.

Also, if you handle glyphosate, wash your hands immediately. Also, wash your clothes thoroughly before wearing them again.

If you believe that glyphosate exposure has taken a toll on your health, seek immediate treatment. Your medical team can conduct a thorough exam, while also running a variety of tests to determine if you have a serious medical concern.

Once the results are in, you can implement a treatment plan while learning more about the cause of your glyphosate exposure. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to hold a negligent party, such as a product manufacturer or employer, responsible for your illness.