Roundup has been widely used since first introduced in the 1970s by Monsanto. We are now discovering Roundup effects on environment and health.
In a day and age filled with technological advances, it is no wonder that produce is also becoming attuned to modern day customs. Genetically modified foods are filling the shelves for their durability and resistance to pests, chemicals, and environmental conditions.
One chemical advancement in particular, Roundup, chemically known as glyphosate, has been having a larger and larger impact to the environment and health. To those who may be unfamiliar with Roundup, it is an herbicide meant to kill weeds that compete with commercial crops.
Trademarked in the 1970s by Monsanto, farmers have been using it ever since to keep their crops yielding maximum product. However, the Roundup effects of long term use are alarming. After all of these years, more and more studies are revealing that glyphosate has a negative impact on the environment and public health.
Roundup Effects on Environment
What are the Roundup environmental impacts?
There are a slew of environmental impacts that Monsanto has been trying to cover up as evidence is increasing on the Roundup environmental effects. For starters, the overuse of glyphosates has led to the formation of glyphosate-resistant weeds which are causing crop yields to drop and consequently forcing herbicide use to go up.
Since its first introduction, 23 different species of weeds have sprouted up that are glyphosate resistant. Glyphosates have also played a role on the plants they are trying to protect.
Plants that have been repeatedly doused with glyposates have showed less water retention meaning they require more water for the same yield. These plants also exhibit limited photosynthesis.
All of that aside, 40 new plant diseases have sprouted up. These issues have created less yield and more money taken away from the farmers.
There are additional Roundup environmental effects. Glyphosate affects more than the plants in the environment, it also affects the soil biology necessary for maintaining healthy plants.
Besides changing the physical state of the soil, glyphosates are also toxic to the organisms living in the soil. Micro and macro organisms play a crucial role in allowing nutrients of the environment to feed plants. One of the other Roundup environmental effects is that it kills earthworms and bacteria that are necessary to convert organic material into usable nutrients.
Roundup Health Impacts
What are the impacts to public health?
Since the 1990s, more research has been devoted to finding out the health impacts that Roundup has had on the public. The number of diseases that have been linked directly or indirectly to glyphosate is growing.
ADHD is a common disease that is present in farming conditions due to the effects of glyphosates on normal functionality of the thyroid. Roundup in the laboratory has shown to have the same effects of neural death that those experiencing Alzheimer’s have. Birth defects, cancer, heart disease, and a slew of other health-related issues are becoming more linked to the overuse of glyphosates on production crops.
Conclusion
With increasing evidence of the detrimental Roundup effects on the environment and human health, it’s clear that organic produce is a much safer alternative to protecting your health. Farmers also need to switch to a different way of protecting their crops in order to provide sustainability from the environment in the future.
Photos courtesy of Toa55 and Vectorolie at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
