The side effects of inhaling Roundup range from minor nose and throat irritation to breathing difficulties and possibly even death. Aside from these signs however, Roundup is also known for causing a broad range of Roundup exposure symptoms that can be mild and severe, or even life-threatening health concerns, such as cancer.
Several studies have linked the herbicide to an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other forms of cancer, such as multiple myeloma and leukemia. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as a probable human carcinogen, meaning the chemical is capable of causing cancer.
This prompted many people and even environmental organizations to take a more serious look at the adverse health effects of the substance. Along with this scrutiny from the general public is the rising number of cases filed in the Roundup lawsuit.
Plaintiffs claim that they have contracted cancer and several other health issues after chronic exposure to Roundup. What’s more is that aside from breathing it in, the toxic chemical can also get to the body through different routes of exposure. Read on to learn more about the harmful effects of breathing Roundup and the other ways it could enter our body.
What happens if you breathe in Roundup?
If you breathe in Roundup, you may experience symptoms such as breathing difficulty, nose and throat irritation, burning sensation in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, increased saliva production, diarrhea, and even death.
You can accidentally breathe in Roundup in the process of spraying it on your lawn or garden. Accidental exposure can also happen if you happen to breathe in the air near a sprayed area. Oftentimes, you breathe in droplets of this toxic chemical so you are unaware that you are already being exposed to it.
This is also often the case with victims of Roundup exposure who have filed lawsuits against its maker, Bayer. The farmers, agricultural workers, pesticide applicators, and gardeners who are involved in these cases claim that they subsequently developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after chronic exposure to Roundup. However, some symptoms only show up after years of using the chemical. This means that for many of them, they have no means of knowing that their cancer is somehow connected to the herbicide if they were not informed of the health risks associated with the product.
Who is at risk of Roundup exposure?
Individuals at the highest risk of Roundup exposure are those who use the herbicide in their jobs, including farm workers, groundkeepers, landscapers, gardeners, pesticide and herbicide applicators, and agricultural workers.
And even though this group of people are the ones who are most likely at risk of coming in contact with Roundup because of occupational exposure, this does not mean that other people outside their population are not at risk of developing exposure-related health effects. In fact, anyone could be at risk for Roundup weed killer exposure because it is a common household chemical that is sprayed in homes, farms, establishments, and even schools across the country.
The truth is that whether you live in a rural or urban area, you can potentially get sick from pesticide exposure. If you or a loved one has been exposed to unsafe amounts of Roundup and are now suffering from cancer and other related health problems, you may have a case against the herbicide’s manufacturer. More details on that later.
What are the signs and symptoms of Roundup exposure?
Glyphosate is the main active ingredient in Roundup that actually kills weeds. However, the compound has also been found to have many untoward effects to humans. The signs and symptoms of Roundup exposure are listed below.
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Headaches
- Nose bleeds
- Irritation in the nose and throat
- Burns in the mouth and throat
- Asthma
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 65,000 Americans die every year due to unintentional poisoning. A person or even a pet who touches plants that are still wet with Roundup spray can be at risk of exposure. Similarly, people can also ingest Roundup if they do not wash their hands after using the weedkiller.
Cancer Risk from Roundup Exposure
Recent verdicts involving Roundup cancer litigation were often from former agricultural workers, farmers, or gardeners and even their spouses who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other forms of cancer after long term exposure to the Bayer herbicide.
In fact, the company has already paid out billions of dollars to plaintiffs who have developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using Roundup. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. Data from studies suggest that glyphosate may alter human chromosomes and result in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Many studies have been conducted on the adverse effects of glyphosate on human health, and the link is actually strong enough that international health organizations have classified the compound as a probable human carcinogen. However, despite the growing evidence, Roundup still hasn’t been recalled and is still present in the American market.
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there is no evidence that would support the toxicity of glyphosate. The agency also does not recognize that the chemical is linked to an increased cancer risk. Conversely, IRAC, which is a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), states that glyphosate has the potential to cause cancer in humans.
What To Do After Inhaling Roundup
If you suspect that you or someone you know has breathed in Roundup, seek medical help right away. Do not try to reverse the effects of the weed killer on your own, as you may end up doing more harm to the person.
You can contact your local poison center directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. They will give you instructions. It does not even have to be an emergency. You should call if you have questions about poison prevention or for any other reason. It is also important not to make the person throw up unless poison control or a doctor tells you to.
If the chemical is in the eyes or in the skin, flush with lots of water for 15 minutes.
Seek Legal Help For Your Roundup Claim
Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is a difficult time in anyone’s life, as it can have debilitating physical and emotional effects. It can even be more devastating if you found out that your cancer could have easily been avoided if herbicide manufacturers did their responsibility to make products that are safe for the general public to use.
Tragically, this is not always the case. Some huge companies put profit over safety and do not even mind the lawsuits coming their way, as the settlements demanded by the court only seem like a small price to pay compared to the money they are making from their dangerous products.
Oftentimes, the only way to stand up against abusive companies is by pinning them to a wall by using the tools provided to us by the law. By filing a Roundup lawsuit, you can hold these companies accountable for their horrible actions that have endangered you or your loved one’s health. You can also achieve the financial compensation and justice that you deserve.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other forms of cancer such as multiple myeloma or leukemia after long term exposure to Roundup, you may have a case against its maker, Bayer. Do not hesitate to contact us today and we will get you in touch with a reliable and experienced Roundup lawyer who can explain your legal options if you or your loved one meet the criteria for a Roundup lawsuit.