Lawns and Gardens – Our Toxic Strive for Perfection

Effects of glyphosates on humans and animals, plus safer alternatives

By [insert your name]

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Impact	2

Basic facts and relevant developments	2

“Standard” and pervasive use of a chemical does not make it acceptable or safe	2

Glyphosates are airborne	2

Impact on the environment	3

Medical conditions associated with the use of glyphosates	3

Part II – Safer Alternatives	5

Part 1: The Impact

The intention of this section of the document is to share the science behind glyphosate and glyphosate compounds and their impact on the human body and the environment.

Basic facts and relevant developments

On August 2018, Monsanto, the manufacturer of Round-Up, a brand name of an herbicide that uses glyphosates, was ordered to pay $39 million in damages to a gardener who is nearing his final days from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Furthermore, Monsanto was also asked to pay $250 million in punitive damaged for hiding internal documents and research results.

Gardeners and landscapers who use glyphosates assure home owners that there are no risks involved as the exposure of the chemical is minimal. This is speculative because there is no evidence stating what amounts are safe. Furthermore, glyphosate is airborne which makes the exposure compounded.

Many of the studies found even in reputable scientific publications have been directly or indirectly funded by Monsanto, its subsidies, “associations” and “foundations” – therefore caution is needed when researching and drawing conclusions that glyphosate is safe.

In contrast, independent studies show (see below) that glyphosate is toxic and commercial glyphosate herbicide formulations, which contain extra added ingredients (adjuvants), are more toxic than glyphosate alone.

The WHO has classified glyphosates as 2A chemical which is described as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Monsanto accuses the organization for “cherry-picking” data.

“Standard” and pervasive use of a chemical does not make it acceptable or safe

Spraying with glyphosate has become so widely accepted that many home owners, HOAs, gardeners and lawn maintenance companies have become sensitized and accept it without questioning. This is not uncommon – for example, in the 1950-ties it was “standard” to X-ray pregnant women. Doctors used to smoke and prescribe it to their anxious patients. Bottom line: Just because something is widely used, it does not make it safe or acceptable.

Glyphosates are airborne

Even though many of the studies were conducted on the consumption of glyphosates, research shows that glyphosates are found not only in food and soil but also in the air

and water. It is therefore plausible to state that areas that spray glyphosates, the residents, pets and wildlife are be exposed too by just breathing contaminated airborne dust particles. Children and pets could be exposed while playing on a contaminated field.

We must also remember that our total exposure to glyphosates results not only from lawn maintenance but is the compounded result of exposure of water, air and food that contain this toxic substance.

It is our responsibility as concerned and environmentally-conscious citizens to minimize the exposure, and contribute to the eventual blacklisting of glyphosate.

Impact on the environment

Quotes from organizations citing a concern:

The widespread and massive application of glyphosate herbicides has resulted in

extensive contamination of the environment. A comprehensive 2014 study by US

Geological Survey (USGS) scientists on US water systems (including rivers, lakes,

streams, lakes ponds, wetlands, precipitation, soil and sediment, soil water, ditches,

drains, and groundwater).

The Journal of American Water Resource Association reported that over 9 years and across 38 states found glyphosate in 39.4% of samples and its principle metabolite AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid) in 55% of samples. 70% of rain samples tested positive for glyphosate.

Medical conditions associated with the use of glyphosates

The below studies demonstrate glyphosate and glyphosate formulations cause serious health and environmental hazards, including disruption of hormonal systems, neurodegeneration, destruction of beneficial gut bacteria, damage to DNA, developmental and reproductive toxicity, birth defects, cancer and neurotoxicity.

For complete body of work, go to this collection of 210 studies showing the impact of glyphosates on humans, pets, animals, plants and the environment.

Health impact	Research source
Genetic damage in children Study: Humans	Children living within 500m of pesticide spraying areas showed more evidence of genetic damage than those living more than 3,000m away
Glyphosate can be detected in the urine of farmers and their families in farms where Roundup pesticide is used. Study: Humans	Glyphosate biomonitoring for farmers and their families: results from the Farm Family Exposure Study.
Glyphosate pesticide (Roundup) exposure is a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma Study: Humans	Pesticide exposure as risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma including histopathological subgroup analysis.
Increased incidences of rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition) in women Study: Humans	Rheumatoid Arthritis in Agricultural Health Study Spouses: Associations with Pesticides and Other Farm Exposures.
Linked to neurodegenerative conditions Parkinson’s, autism, Alzheimer's disease. Study: Cows	Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases III: Manganese, neurological diseases, and associated pathologies
Disruption of gut bacteria (overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria) which may result in a host of health issues from neurological, muscular, autoimmune. Study: Cows and poultry	Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases
Bee colony collapse Study: Inspects	Effects of field-realistic doses of glyphosate on honeybee appetitive behaviour.
Found in rain and river water Study: Water	Widely Used Herbicide Commonly Found in Rain and Streams in the Mississippi River Basin

It is therefore only reasonable to approach glyphosate and any suspect chemicals with common sense and from the place of:

‘Be careful’

‘Better safe than sorry’

‘Look before you leap’

‘First, do no harm’.

Part II – Safer Alternatives

Quick disclaimers:

As the author of this document, I receive no financial benefits from these recommendations

Information presented here was obtained is based on what is available on the vendor or product website

Safer alternatives are better not only to us, the residents, but also for the lawn management workers who are exposed to the toxic chemicals every day. With the existing body of evidence of the harmful effects of glyphosate on humans and the environment, as well as the rising number of court cases, it is in the interest of the lawn management provider to mitigate liability and consider switching to safer alternatives.

Organic lawn management is a specialty area. The premise is not only to attack the weeds but more so to nourish the grass, the soil microbiome (bacteria) so that the grass outstrengthens the weeds.

To get more educated on creating and maintaining a healthy lawn, I recommend to read:

How to Build a Living Soil in a Lawn

Organic Lawn Care 101

Organic lawn and gardening services available in [insert your town]:

For example, in Boulder, they are:

Organolawn

Clean Air Lawn Care

A Good Earth Maintenance

If you have any questions, please contact me at [your email and cell].