World Health Organization Analyzing Another Pesticide
World Health Organization Analyzing Another Pesticide – Right on the heels of classifying Monsanto’s pesticide, Roundup, as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” the World Health Organization (WHO) is examining the ill-effects on health of another pesticide, 2, 4-D.
Scientists from WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), are set to study 2, 4-D to see if there is a connection between it and cancer in humans next month in Lyons, France. Roundup contains the dangerous chemical, glyphosate. Dow AgroSciences (part of Dow Chemical Co.) manufactures the 2, 4-D pesticide which contains 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Like Roundup, this is also a popular pesticide and is commonly used by farmers and homeowners. This year, the company is planning to introduce another product that contains glyphosate and 2,4-D. The product was approved last year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Environmental groups and farm organizations have sued the EPA for approving the dangerous product.
Research indicates that exposure to 2,4-D increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) by 40%. Environmental groups and other critics have long pointed out the cancer-risk of both glyphosate and 2, 4-D. But scientists working for Dow say that 2,4-D does not indicate any risk for NHL or gastric cancer or prostrate cancer.
Category: News
