Global Context The
World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) determined that glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen
(class 2A), whereas regulatory bodies such as Health Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
concluded that glyphosate does not cause cancer. Charles Benbrook explained this inconsistency. IARC relied upon peer-reviewed publicly published studies of GBHs that predominantly demonstrated carcinogenicity. Conversely, regulatory agencies relied upon confidential industry-sponsored studies and a subset of the studies used by IARC, that examined glyphosate without formulants. IARC placed heavy weight on studies of cancers in workers who used GBHs, while regulators focused on dietary exposures.
Glyphosate
is the predominant herbicide in Canada, with more than a kilogram used
for every citizen. Glyphosate based herbicides are used before planting in the spring,
applied to genetically modified, herbicide resistant corn, soy, canola
and sugar beets in the field, and used to kill grains and legumes for rapid
dry-down before harvest. This results in greater contamination of foods.
Canadian trading partners, particularly in Europe, refuse commodities with too much glyphosate. Farm organizations are urging growers to
protect the reputation of Canadian food for export - to "Keep it Clean"
by not spraying glyphosate prior to harvest, testing for cadmium (a
highly toxic contaminant that is amplified by glyphosate) and minimizing
other pesticide and mould contaminants. It is unclear how the
quality of Canadian food compares with exports. Health and Environmental Implications Glyphosate is a potent chemical, as Prevent Cancer Now Chairperson Meg Sears explains. “Glyphosate doesn't just kill plants, it mobilizes toxic metals into our food, and kills bacteria in the environment and in us. Recent
research confirms that glyphosate alters the “microbiome" – the essential flora in the gut.
“Pregnancy failure is another important repercussion, that was signalled in
2001 Health
Canada research. More recent human and animal
studies confirm that glyphosate causes spontaneous abortion and early
births.
"The current situation is unsustainable,
and unethical. Canadians are getting sicker, at younger ages, and
glyphosate is among top potential contributors.”
Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency dismissed science-based
Notices of Objection to glyphosate re-registration (filed in 2017), in January 2019.
Glyphosate use has resulted in loss of biodiversity and emergence of resistant weeds, for which further new pesticides are being registered. A profitable, sustainable, resilient alternative solution is organic regenerative agriculture, that supports biodiversity and captures carbon to blunt climate chaos.
Public Comment on ATSDR Draft
The ATSDR examines public health effects of toxic substances, and maintains a Portal for profiles of high-exposure substances. The draft Toxicological Profile for Glyphosate is posted for public comment until July 8, 2019.
For more information please contact: Meg Sears PhD, Chair, Prevent
Cancer Now 613 297-6042
Prevent Cancer Now is a national civil society organization including
scientists, health care professionals and concerned citizens.
We work to stop cancer before it starts by eliminating contributors to cancer,
with research, collaboration, engagement and advocacy.
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