Are we lost in the weeds when it comes to glyphosate use in New Zealand?

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Are we lost in the weeds when it comes to glyphosate use in New Zealand?

24 November 2021

David McBride

Wednesday 24 November 2021, 12:25 AM

Many people turn to glyphosate to tackle weeds, but there is ongoing debate about its effects on human health [Image: David Tip on Unsplash]

Occupational health expert David McBride discusses the herbicide glyphosate. It is widely used on farms and in gardens, streets and parks across New Zealand, but is it safe?

Key points, The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans, while the Environmental Protection Authority, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Occupational Medicine

References

Davoren MJ, Schiestl RH. Glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer risk: a post-IARC decision review of potential mechanisms, policy and avenues of research. Carcinogenesis 2018;39(10):1207–15.

Zhang L, Rana I, Shaffer RM, et al. Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis and supporting evidence. Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res 2019;781:186–206.

Andreotti G, Koutros S, Hofmann JN, et al. Glyphosate use and cancer incidence in the agricultural health study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2018;110(5):509–16.

Douwes J, ‘t Mannetje A, McLean D, et al. Carcinogenicity of glyphosate: why is New Zealand's EPA lost in the weeds? N Z Med J 2018;131(1472):82–89.

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