EcoAlert from American P.I.E.
Date: 1 June, 2005
An entire nation has been persuaded that the herbicide Roundup, and other
glyphosate-based products such as Vision, Accord and Rodeo, are as "safe as
table salt." This is a claim made by the Monsanto Company in national
advertisements. Advertising campaigns additionally claim that glyphosate
products are safe for people, pets and the environment.
The campaign works. Estimated use in the U.S. is now between 19 and 26
million pounds per year and Roundup represents the pesticide industry's
first billion dollar product.
American PIE receives numerous calls from people looking to control weeds in
the landscape. Most callers to our 1-800 Environmental Information Line come
with the notion that Roundup is a benign and environmentally friendly
solution. We're quick to point out that, despite industry claims, this
simply is not the case. In truth, laboratory studies have found adverse
effects in all standard categories of toxicological testing. In one study
conducted by Walsh, McCormick,ÝMartin, and Stocco of the Department of Cell
Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, RoundUp was conclusively
identified as an endocrine disruptor.
The evidence against use of Roundup is compelling and well represented by
groups such as the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticide (NCAP),
dial 541 344-5044 and the New York Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
(NYCAP), dial 518 426-8246. NCAP's Journal of Pesticide Reform carries a
detailed description, authored by Caroline Cox, of both the human health and
ecological dangers associated with glyphosate. Ms. Cox's review is
well-researched and comprehensive, noting as well the toxicology of
Roundup's "inert" ingredients (such as the surfactant POEA) and citing 183
separate studies from the literature regarding glyphosate.
American PIE urges careful reading of the Winter 1995 edition of NCAP's
Journal of Pesticide Reform, devoted almost entirely to gylphosate hazards
and Monsanto's efforts to manipulate evidence to its purposes of profit.
It's time to corral Roundup.
American PIE, too, urges alternative approaches to weed control. We hope
you'll call 1-800-320-APIE(2743) for solutions that work - that work for the
environment and the health of this and future generations.
Act today on this EcoAlert, and thank you for your environmental
responsibility.
American P.I.E.
Public Information on the Environment
P.O. Box 676
Northfield, MN 55057-0676
Telephone: 1-800-320-APIE(2743)
Fax: 507-645-5724
E-mail: Info@AmericanPIE.org
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