In the past few decades, thousands of studies have revealed the negative consequences of herbicides and pesticides on human and planetary health. But few people—even among those who buy organic—think about who’s really most at risk.
Cure for a Common (Weed) Killer
Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, is very effective at killing weeds. However, the herbicide also interferes with the symbiotic relationship between beneficial soil bacteria and plant roots. This results in food crops that are deficient in the nutrients that humans need for optimal health.That’s why many health experts, including functional medical doctors and nutritionists, urge their patients to buy organic food. When food is grown without pesticides and herbicides and is glyphosate-free, it’s more nutritious.
The good news is that the demand for organic food has increased so much that most supermarkets offer consumers at least one generic, affordable brand.
The bad news is that even though it’s easier and more affordable to buy organic food than ever before, most Americans still purchase nonorganic food. While the demand for organic food seems to be rising, the Department of Agriculture still estimates that organic food sales account for only about 4 percent of all food sales in the United States.
After all, if you aren’t eating it, why buy organic?
Here’s why: Every farm worker exposed to glyphosate is at an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney failure, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia, among other health problems.
Glyphosate Causes Blood Cancer
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in the body’s white blood cells. Symptoms include exhaustion, night sweats, swollen glands, fever, and unexplained weight loss, and the condition is often fatal.Scientists have been publishing studies on the link between exposure to pesticides and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma for more than 20 years.
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer now states that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans.
In 2019, Monsanto was ordered by a court in California to pay $86.2 million to a couple who both suffered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup.
Protect Agricultural Workers From Kidney Failure
Agricultural workers also need to be protected from glyphosate-induced kidney failure. Alarmingly, sugar cane workers in Central America are experiencing an unusual form of kidney disease not linked to diabetes. Many have been dying from this condition at a young age.This condition has been called chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, or CKDu. A similar phenomenon is happening among workers in the rice paddies in Sri Lanka.
Sugar cane isn’t a genetically modified crop, but it’s often sprayed just before harvest with glyphosate, which acts as a ripener to increase the sugar yield. The workers who harvest the cane get high exposure to glyphosate, especially during harvest.
Main Factor in Neurological Decline?
Another concern for farmers is the increased risk of neurodegenerative disease due to exposure to pesticides. A 2021 study published in the journal Gerontology found a higher prevalence of dementia among agricultural workers compared to others.This study, involving mice, showed that glyphosate infiltrated the brain and increased levels of a well-known inflammatory agent, as well as of the toxic form of amyloid beta, the protein linked to Alzheimer’s. It further showed that glyphosate is directly toxic to cells.
Organic food is safer and healthier for your children, your family, the workers who pick your crops, and the planet. If you go to farmers markets, you can find even more organically grown local food and flowers at affordable prices.
If your pockets are feeling pinched, befriend the farmers in your area and find a way to do trades. Growing your own flowers and garden vegetables—or joining a local gardening club or cooperative—will also help you have a steady supply of healthy food and beautiful blooms.
We must protect farmers from toxicant-induced diseases. If we all stop buying conventionally grown food and garden plants, the demand for these will drop, and organics won’t be just a luxury for the rich.
