Herbicide exposure linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma

exterminatorResearchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer recently published a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health documenting three decades worth of epidemiological research on the relationship between occupational exposure to pesticides and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  The scientists examined 44 studies from high-income countries, covering 80 active ingredients in 21 pesticide groups.  They found several strong links between pesticide exposure and development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  For example, phenoxy herbicides, carbamate insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides and the active ingredient lindane (an organochlorine insecticide) were all associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  The organophosphorus herbicide glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, was associated with the non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtype called B cell lymphoma, as were phenoxy herbicides.  These findings are especially worrisome, because the use levels of several of these pesticides has dramatically increased over the last decade, and may continue to increase as we continue to expand planting of herbicide-resistant Genetically Modified crops.  Make sure to limit your exposure by choosing organic!