by Dionel Salazar, on September 4, 2024
Roundup, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, has long been a staple in agricultural practices, home gardening, and landscaping. Its active ingredient, Glyphosate, is highly effective at killing weeds, making it a go-to solution for many.
What Is Roundup?
Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide first introduced by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) in the 1970s. Glyphosate works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway essential for plant growth, effectively killing weeds. It is the most widely used herbicide in history and is sprayed on a very high percentage of our crops. Buying organic can help, but it does not guarantee that you will have Roundup-free food. While it has been praised for its effectiveness, the widespread use of Roundup has raised concerns about its impact on human health and the environment.
Health Risks Linked To Glyphosate
Glyphosate became such a popular herbicide mainly due to its allegedly minimal effects on humans. Glyphosate works by blocking an enzyme that's essential for plant growth. Monsanto originally claimed that since humans didn't have the same pathway, Glyphosate did not pose any health risks to humans. Years later, there is mounting evidence that Glyphosate is not as safe as it was first touted to be. In addition to being a potential carcinogen (World Health Organization) and endocrine disruptor, Glyphosate can have unintended consequences on water quality and pollinators.
Weighing The Risks Of Glyphosate
While Roundup remains a widely used and effective herbicide, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with its use. The concerns surrounding Glyphosate’s impact on human health and the environment cannot be ignored. For those who are concerned about these risks, considering alternatives to Glyphosate-based herbicides like Finalsan, or adopting integrated pest management strategies may be a safer approach. It is also important to mention that Roundup is the subject of a series of lawsuits in the United States, since many consumers of this product claim that it caused them to develop cancer.
