Advocacy group offers
U.S. testing for herbicide feared linked to cancer
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[April 23, 2015]
By Carey Gillam
(Reuters) - An advocacy group seeking a ban
on the world's most widely used herbicide said Wednesday it is launching
a U.S. public testing project to gather data on detectable levels of the
herbicide in drinking water, human urine and breast milk.
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The project, backed in part by organic organizations and critics of
genetically modified crops, is the latest move in a brewing battle
pitting agribusiness interests against consumer and environmental
groups over the fate of the weed-killer called glyphosate.
Feed the World, the group behind the effort, is offering test kits
that can be ordered for $119 each on its website, http://feedtheworld.info/,
and sent to a central laboratory for processing.
Director Henry Rowlands said the group is providing validated
testing that meets regulatory standards. The results are to be used
to pressure regulators and lawmakers to limit and eventually ban
glyphosate, he said.
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Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide sold by
Monsanto Co and is found in hundreds of products sold worldwide by
many companies. It was first registered for use in the United States
in 1974 and has long been considered safe by U.S. and many foreign
regulatory bodies. It is widely used on crops, lawns, gardens and
golf courses.
But some scientific studies have linked it to health problems, and
last month a research unit of the World Health Organization
classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
Monsanto spokeswoman Charla Lord said all labeled uses of glyphosate
are safe and had no further comment about the Feed the World
Project.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concluding an
extended review of glyphosate and has said it will issue a
preliminary risk assessment for public comment later this year. The
agency has the power to ban the herbicide, impose new limits on its
use or keep current rules in place.
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The U.S. government does not test for glyphosate residues in foods,
though it does test for other pesticide residues. But a number of
organizations have been sampling foods, urine and breast milk
themselves, to try to determine the pervasiveness of glyphosate
residues.
Glyphosate is used on corn, soybeans, sugar beets and other crops
genetically altered to withstand it. It is also used by farmers
growing wheat, oats and other crops. Its use has surged with the
advancement of genetically engineered crops.
(Reporting by Carey Gillam in Kansas City; Editing by Cynthia
Osterman)
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