The world's most popular weed killer, Glyphosate, is being
placed under the microscope by scientists, regulators and plaintiff
lawyers. Despite four decades of widespread commercial and domestic
use on the assumption it was safe, there has been recent increased
worldwide concern about myriad potential health effects of exposure
to the substance.
A test case in California, has hit the headlines globally this
week. This case resulted in the jury finding Roundup was unsafe and
was a substantial factor in causing the Plaintiff school
groundskeeper's lymphoma. Awarding $39.25 million in
compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages, the jury
also found that Monsanto had failed to adequately warn consumers of
the risks associated with its products and that the company acted
with malice or oppression. Monsanto has vigorously protested the
safety of its product and indicated it intends to appeal.
