Glyphosate in New Brunswick
Glyphosate has created a lot of discussion in New Brunswick lately. Here are five things you need to know:
1) What is glyphosate?
Presently glyphosate is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world, but recently it’s come under increased scrutiny for its health and environmental effects. It is used most frequently in forestry and agriculture, but homeowners can spray it for weed control under trade names like Roundup, Vision or Forza. Glyphosate has been sprayed on New Brunswick’s forests since the 1970s.
2) How much glyphosate is used in New Brunswick?
According to the provincial Department of Environment, quite a bit. They say that 77,000 kilograms of glyphosate was sold for use in New Brunswick in 2014. You can see where in New Brunswick herbicides were sprayed on this map.
3) Is it dangerous?
Some people think so. In March of this year, the International Agency for Cancer Research (IACR), part of the World Health Organization, found that there is “sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals” and that glyphosate caused “DNA and chromosomal damage in human cells.” The IACR noted one study where community residents “reported increases in blood markers of chromosomal damage (micronuclei) after glyphosate formulations were sprayed nearby.” They concluded that the herbicide is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
However, in response to the IARC report, Health Canada says, “It is important to note that these hazard classifications are not health risk assessments. The levels of human exposure, which determine the actual risk, were not taken into account. Pesticides are registered for use in Canada only if the level of exposure to Canadians does not cause any harmful effects, including cancer.”
Earlier this week, a panel put together to review the IARC findings by Monsanto, the company that produces glyphosate, announced that it found that “none of the results from a very large database, using different methodologies, provides evidence of, or a potential mechanism for, human carcinogenesis” from glyphosate. Or, in plain English, glyphosate is not dangerous. Twelve of the 16 panelists previously served as paid consultants for the chemical company.
4) What is New Brunswick doing?
The provincial government says it is following the issue. The Department of Environment told Huddle that, “Glyphosate recently underwent routine re-evaluation by Health Canada which found that products containing glyphosate do not present unacceptable risks to human health or the environment when used according to the proposed label directions.”
However, they also added that, “It’s our understanding that Health Canada is currently reviewing information received as part of a public consultation process and will then make a final decision.”
5) How is glyphosate related to the controversial firing of New Brunswick’s chief medical officer?
That’s not clear. Dr. Eilish Cleary, New Brunswick’s chief medical officer, was undertaking a study of glyphosate when she was placed on leave and later, according to her, fired without cause. The government will say only that it is a personnel issue. However, Dr. Cleary’s departure has not stopped the glyphosate study. It is continuing under Dr. Jennifer Russell, the acting chief medical officer of Health.