A recent study by eminent oncologists Dr. Lennart Hardell and Dr. Mikael Eriksson of Sweden, has revealed clear links between some of the world's biggest selling herbicides to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. What these scientists unearthed is indicative of the long-term chronic effects of pesticides, even in countries that have the resources. We in the pesticide reform movement have continually stated that if environmental degradation and especially human health impacts are to be minimized, precaution must be the overriding principle. In this case, where there are serious implications to human health, the precautionary principle must apply.
Lymphoma is a form of cancer that afflicts the lymphatic system.
It can occur at virtually any part of the body but the initial symptoms are usually seen as swellings around the lymph nodes at the base of the neck. There are basically two main kinds of lymphoma, i.e. Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The increase in NHL in most Western countries during the last few decades is also rapidly increasing in many other countries. Glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup is the world's most widely used herbicide. It is estimated that for 1998, over a 112,000 tonnes of glyphosate was used worldwide.