Roundup Exposure Symptoms

Signs of Roundup exposure commonly include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. People may experience worsening of asthma symptoms as well. Ingesting moderate amounts of Roundup can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Roundup products contain glyphosate, which can cause immediate symptoms after exposure. These can range from mild to severe. Ingesting large amounts of glyphosate can be fatal.

Inhalation and ingestion are the main types of Roundup exposure that cause symptoms. Glyphosate isn’t readily absorbed through skin.

Doctors can test for glyphosate exposure, but these tests can only determine recent exposure because glyphosate passes through the body quickly. There is no test to determine the extent of exposure or to predict possible future health effects.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency each issued conflicting statements on Roundup and cancer. IARC classifies glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. The EPA, however, classifies glyphosate as “not likely” to be carcinogenic to humans.

IARC points to a growing body of research that found non-Hodgkin lymphoma to be among Roundup health risks from long-term exposure. Additional research also found associations with other cancers.

A June 2023 study noted an association between glyphosate in well water and kidney cancer incidence. Another study found 20 or more years of exposure increased thyroid cancer risk. A 2022 study reports increased breast cancer rates in agricultural areas where glyphosate is used.

Recent research finds possible associations between Roundup exposure to neurological disorders, including autism and Alzheimer’s disease. Glyphosate has also been shown to disturb healthy bacteria in the gut biome that play a vital role in regulating healthy brain functioning.

Glyphosate crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes inflammation. Research indicates this nervous system disruption can negatively impact regulation of neurological processes and cause neurodegenerative disorders. 

In addition to autism and Alzheimer’s, glyphosate-caused genetic damage has also been associated with anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in recent studies. Animal studies suggest that exposure to glyphosate in utero may have adverse effects on human neurological development of unborn children as well.

Glyphosate levels found in drinking water from runoff and on crops sprayed with Roundup are increasing, but many authorities contend they’re still below safe levels. Many municipalities test regularly for glyphosate in drinking water.

Crops that consistently score high in glyphosate residue when tested are oats, wheat, soybeans and corn. Some crops were developed to be resistant to Roundup. They’re genetically modified to tolerate larger-than-average amounts of the herbicide, allowing farmers to spray more Roundup to kill weeds growing near them. Environmental Working Group tests have found high levels of glyphosate in many cereals marketed to children, including Cheerios.

While there isn’t a Roundup ban in the U.S. yet, there are bans in other countries. Some U.S. companies have also opted for Roundup alternatives in light of consumer food safety concerns.

Many who have developed long-term symptoms of glyphosate exposure have filed Roundup lawsuits. Litigation naming injuries such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma have resulted in multimillion dollar verdicts for plaintiffs.