If you work in gardening, landscaping or farming in Minnesota, you should be well aware that there are risks associated with these occupations. Not only are you exposed to the elements, which can be severe in this state, you also work with powerful machinery and potentially harmful chemicals.
For instance, many people in these industries work with Roundup, a widely used weed killer. While it may be effective for its intended purpose, Roundup contains glyphosate. This chemical could be relatively safe or it could cause cancer, depending on which research you look at. However, even this research can be misleading, as indicated by the recent unsealing of documents from Monsanto, the makers of Roundup.
According to reports, documents were unsealed as part of a federal case against Monsanto. These documents evidently show that Monsanto workers ghostwrote research claiming glyphosate was relatively safe. That research was attributed not to the agrochemical giant, but to various academics.
This story only further complicates matters, as agencies here in the U.S. and across the globe have yet to agree on whether glyphosate is a carcinogen and what is considered a safe level of exposure.
However, Monsanto is currently in litigation with hundreds of people claiming they developed cancer as a result of their exposure to glyphosate. Depending on the outcome of these cases, it could open up the floodgates in terms of whether the makers of products containing glyphosate can be held accountable for damages.
We will certainly keep readers updated on any developments in this case as they become available.
In the meantime, farmers and landscapers across the state may want to ensure they are visiting the doctor regularly and discussing any illnesses stemming from possible toxic exposure with an attorney. Early detection and aggressive legal action can help victims get the treatment and compensation they need and deserve.