Ten Reasons Not to Use Roundup

Pesticides are unique toxic chemicals

1. Glyphosate and Roundup cause genetic damage.

Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. Glycine, N- (phosphonomethyl)-. rtecs/mc html. Glyphosate is identified as a mutagen by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Roundup damages chromosomes Sahdeo Prasad et al Clastogenic Effects of Glyphosate in Bone Marrow Cells of Swiss Albino Mice. J Toxicol. 2009: (Indian Institute for Toxicology Research)

2. Roundup disrupts normal hormone function.

Roundup reduces hormone production Source: Walsh, L.P. et al Roundup inhibits steroidogenesis by disrupting steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein expression. Environ. Health Persp. 108: (Texas Tech University)

These biochemists identified the “StAR protein” that acts like a cellular dump truck to carry cholesterol (building block of sex hormones) to the site that transforms it into hormones. Roundup inhibits production of the StAR protein.

Roundup reduces hormone production - confirming study Source: R. M. Romano et al Prepubertal exposure to commercial formulation of the herbicide glyphosate alters testosterone levels and testicular morphology. Arch Toxicol 84:309–317. (University of Sao Paulo)

3. Roundup reduces pregnancy success.

Roundup linked with increased risk of miscarriages Source: T.E. Arbuckle, Z. Lin, and L.S. Mery An exploratory analysis of the effect of pesticide exposure on the risk of spontaneous abortion in an Ontario farm population. Environ. Health Persp. 109: (Health Canada)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identifies glyphosate as a “reproductive effector” based on three studies of laboratory animals. Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. Glycine, N- (phosphonomethyl)-.

4. Roundup causes illness in pets.

“As regards herbicides, the most represented active principles for both species are Paraquat … and Glyphosate (85 calls for dogs and 14 for cats), which is usually reported to affect animals ingesting grass and vegetation recently sprayed with a glyphosate-based commercial preparation.” Source: A. Giuliano Albo and C. Nebbia Incidence of Poisonings in Domestic Carnivores in Italy. Veterinary Research Communications 28: 83–88. (University of Turin)

5. New research continues to find surprising health impacts of glyphosate and Roundup.

Roundup and brain cell health Source: Mariana Astiz et al Effect of pesticides on cell survival in liver and brain rat tissues. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 72: 2025–2032. (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)

6. Glyphosate contaminates water.

A national survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey found glyphosate in 17.5 percent of samples collected from urban streams Source: D.W. Kolpin et al Urban contributions of glyphosate and its degradate AMPA to streams in the United States. Sci.Total Environ. 354:

7. Roundup harms wildlife.

Intersex in frogs Source: Howe, CM et al Toxicity of glyphosate-based pesticides to four North American frog species. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 23: (Trent University and Canadian Wildlife Service) Exposed to Roundup Original Exposed to Roundup Transorb intersex (15%) intersex (25%)

8. Pesticide health and safety testing is conducted by pesticide manufacturers.

9. Pesticides (including Roundup) have too many secrets.

10. Herbicides (including Roundup) don’t solve weed problems.

“Weeds will invade any bare or thin area in a landscape. Prevent invasions in new beds with good site preparation. Keep weeds out with an integrated program that includes competitive plants, mulches, and hand removal. Be particularly vigilant about removing aggressive perennial weeds. You rarely should need herbicides in established landscape plantings.” Source: UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. Undated. How to Manage Pests. Quick Tips for Managing Home and Landscape Pests: Weeds in Landscapes.

Caroline Cox