Despite opposition from a coalition of farmers, the herbicide glyphosate is now banned in New York.

Known most commonly as the weedkiller Roundup, the recently passed legislation bans its use on state property. While detractors hoped the bill wouldn’t be passed, Governor Cuomo’s signature secured its place in New York law. Environmentalists and most citizens eagerly welcome the news, as they rely on the city’s green space for their overall wellbeing.

How Glyphosate Was Banned In New York

The bill that banned glyphosate in New York was introduced in July of 2020. Senate Bill S6520, sponsored by Senator José M. Serrano and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, took aim at this herbicide for a variety of reasons.

Of primary concern is the classification of glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Researchers at the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this label on the chemical in 2015–despite the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standing by its safety. With research that links glyphosate to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a host of other negative effects on health, legislators feel it’s critical to remove the herbicide from use.

Another reason concerns New York’s most vulnerable: the children. The crowded city’s families rely on green space–like parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas–for recreation. Kids are able to run, play, and relax in these areas to break up the monotony of small living spaces. Because these communal areas commonly receive treatment of glyphosate, concerns about its effects on children further prompted the bill’s introduction.

Senator Serrano’s goal is one of protection. “It’s important that we protect the health and safety of workers, families, and pets,” he said in an official statement on the bill, “by proactively eliminating the use of potentially harmful chemicals like glyphosate in our public spaces.” By using safer alternatives, Senator Serrano hopes to avoid any risk to the health of the city’s inhabitants. (1)

Opposition To Senate Bill S6520

Before Governor Cuomo signed Senate Bill S6520 into effect in late December 2020, not everyone was happy about it. The New York Farm Bureau (NYFB), a volunteer organization supporting local agriculture, joined with a coalition of organizations to send a letter to the governor. They hoped that the bill to get glyphosate banned in New York would be vetoed.

The letter included a variety of crop-growers, winemakers, and forestry organizations. According to the group, studies on glyphosate do not solidify that it’s harmful. Rather, the NYFB and others cite decades of research and years of study that indicate glyphosate’s safety. Most importantly, the letter explains the agriculture industry’s heavy reliance on this herbicide.

The letter reads that “glyphosate [is] critical for farmers growing fruit, vegetables, corn, soybeans, and other food crops.” They also mention the herbicide’s use to control a variety of invasive plant species on the state’s land. According to their claim, the legislation’s motive is political rather than scientific. Despite this opposition, however, the bill received the governor’s signature and glyphosate is now banned from New York’s public spaces. (2)

The History Of Glyphosate

To understand the potential harm of glyphosate, it’s important to know its history, use, and scientific makeup.

Upon its discovery in 1950 by a Swiss chemist working for a pharmaceutical company, scientists began to explore the uses of this chemical. A chemist for the massive agricultural company Monsanto found out that glyphosate worked as an herbicide in 1970. By 1974, the formula known commonly as Roundup saw regular use by farmers across the United States. Its use now reaches throughout the world to protect crops from competing plants and grasses seen as weeds.

One of the main concerns of environmentalists and scientists is the significant increase in the use of this herbicide. For example, glyphosate use increased by over 19,000% from 1974 to 2014. This rising use means more exposure. Because more exposure to a chemical means more risk of negative side effects, many worry about the potential toxic load of glyphosate.

Feelings of caution aren’t without a scientific basis. With more glyphosate in the soil, air, water, and food, researchers continue to study its impact. While it’s true that low exposures don’t cause any immediate toxic reaction, increasing research points to long-term effects that could impact future generations. (3)

Weighing The Risks

A study by researchers at Washington State University in 2020 found that glyphosate causes genetic changes across the DNA of generations. By studying multiple generations of rats, researchers aimed to apply epigenetics to glyphosate exposure. They hypothesized that epigenetics, the study of DNA changes caused by the environment and behavior, could add more pieces to the puzzle.

The researchers found that changes to the sperm of rats initially exposed to glyphosate caused health problems for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While exposure didn’t harm the rats themselves, their successive progeny felt the effects. By the third and fourth generations, the risk of developing health problems increased by 90%. These included problems with reproductive organs, obesity, the kidneys, and birth abnormalities. Because glyphosate changed gene expressions over time, the rats inevitably inherited poor health. (4)

Although debates about its safety rage on, studies link glyphosate exposure with changes to the gut microbiome, increase in children born with autism, and inhibition of the body’s detox functions. (5)

Supporting Overall Health

Even with skeptics doubting research on both sides, clear scientific links point to possible negative effects from glyphosate exposure. Thankfully, there are easy, simple ways to reduce exposure and support the body’s natural detoxification process.

One study showed that simply switching to an all-organic diet can cause a 70% reduction in glyphosate levels. Since organic foods ban the use of harmful pesticides, these also decreased in participants by up to 95%. While it doesn’t rid the body of any glyphosate stored, limiting further exposure can support overall health. (6)

In addition to eating organically, natural detox can help remove stored toxins like glyphosate from the body. Natural chelating agents such as Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) bind to chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals. They can then pass from the body through urine–one of the body’s natural detoxification systems. 

A science-backed supplement formula like ecoNugenics’ GlyphoCleanse contains natural citrus pectin, glycine, kelp, and sodium alginates to help remove glyphosate from the body. While laws banning glyphosate are a good first step, supporting overall health from previous exposure to glyphosate is key in promoting safe, natural detox, and overall health. (7)