This is Part 2 of a multi-part discussion of the most common weed control method in the world, Roundup.
You ever get the feeling that Monsanto doesn’t have the consumer’s best interest at heart? How about the lack of studies of the effect of the additives in Roundup? How about the lack of studies of the synergistic effects of glyphosate (the active ingredient) with those additives (so-called “inert ingredients)?
In a study published in February 2014, it was found that Roundup is far more toxic than glyphosate alone because of its adjuvants, the additional chemicals that help make the product adhere and absorb into the leaves of plants.[i]
The surfactant, polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) is not required to be tested by Monsanto for toxicity because so-called inert ingredients (meaning, not used to kill weeds) are considered “exempt” from the Toxic Substances Control Act.[ii],[iii]
Hallas, Berg and Johannesen at the University of Vermont reviewed the reregistration requirements of Monsanto’s Roundup both with and without POEA. They conclude “There obviously need to be more studies examining POEA, although the few that are out there have conclusive evidence that it has negative effects.”[iv]
[i] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955666/
[ii] http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstopthespraybc.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F07%2FLiterature-Review-of-Impacts-of-Glyphosate-Herbicide1.pdf&ei=nBBGUrCBLojJrQGSq4DwAQ&usg=AFQjCNHBHDQ8ATtS9p3GIXTMGCLijpwDTQ&sig2=dLeTppnhrs5NREN4CCy0bw&bvm=bv.53217764,d.aWM&cad=rja
[iii] http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDwQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ces.ncsu.edu%2Ffletcher%2Fprograms%2Fxmas%2Fpesticides%2Flabels%2FRoundup-orig-max-msds.pdf&ei=Zh3EU7XOMcixoQT_vYGADw&usg=AFQjCNEtKX25nKNrGLlOznAk3DKWFHrgDg&sig2=izLlgelnqTUpvNUDPG9M5w&bvm=bv.70810081,d.cGU&cad=rja
[iv] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CD8QFjAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uvm.edu%2F~wbowden%2FTeaching%2FRisk_Assessment%2FResources%2FPublic%2FProjects%2FProject_docs2007%2FREPORT_Glyposphate.doc&ei=IzYuVOvgINWfyASrn4C4DQ&usg=AFQjCNGAemELXUTT3nuSvpW8RJkpFMLcIQ&sig2=GE3Qc3QTcnQfa1RO210Rrw&bvm=bv.76802529,d.aWw&cad=rja