Iowa Lawmakers Debate Bill to Protect Bayer From Roundup Lawsuits Amid Health Concerns

Seriously, Iowa has a problem, and I wonder if anyone cares other than those tasked with dealing with cancer.  Cancer is running rampant in the state and shows NO SIGNS of slowing.

The Iowa Cancer Registry has Iowa consistently ranked among the states with the highest cancer rates.  Breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and skin melanoma: those are just a few of the worst, and Iowa is leading the pack. Good stuff, right?  Good stuff, indeed.

What is Causing the High Rates of Cancer?

Again, we look to the Iowa Cancer Registry, and they list these as contributing factors to the high level of cancer in Iowa: high rates of tobacco use, higher rates than the national average for alcohol consumption in the US, low levels of physical activity, aging population, and, look here, shocking agricultural practices.

Iowa has consistently ranked #2 in new cases of cancer in the US, and a recent report by the Des Moines Register outlines the seriousness that faces Iowa.

Iowa Legislature to Potentially Shield Bayer With Bill

The Iowa legislature is trying to protect Bayer. Lawmakers, led by Republicans, are considering a bill that would shield Bayer from lawsuits surrounding Roundup's health risks, such as cancer, as long as the product label complies with federal guidelines.

Senate president Any Sinclair argues that the bill will protect Bayer from lawsuits if they're following the law.

The bill was passed by the Iowa Senate last year, but was not debated in the House.  The proposed bill could prevent lawsuits against Bayer for health issues related to Roundup.  These include some big names in cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma. That is, unless you can prove that Bayer made a mistake or acted negligently.

Cancer Has No Political Party

Cancer does not care what party affiliation you have.  Putting these measures in place by the legislature is only to remove the rights you currently have.  Businesses have protections against frivolous lawsuits, those are already in place.

The thought that someone else might fail with their lawsuit might not be forefront in your mind.  The trouble is, what if you need to file that suit?  What if you need that relief because you have been impacted? The Iowa legislature is about to slam that door shut.

What Are the Risks of Glyphosate?

If you look up Roundup or its main ingredient glyphosate, many reports are that it is a suspected carcinogen, but the EPA says of Roundup: "using according to label directions do not result in risks to children or adults." Therefore, they do not require a cancer warning label for Roundup.

Yet, according to a study in 1981, the EPA and Monsanto allegedly knew there was a link between glyphosate and cancer.

The initial application of the product may not be where the problem lies.  The risks are exponentially higher once the application dries, with a half-life of 197 days.  Dried chemicals can then become airborne, and if that's in high-traffic areas, it can potentially leading to issues for those passing through. The wind could take it anywhere, like where you are.

Are There Any Verdicts Against Roundup?

Recently, William Melissen received a jury award of $78 million after claiming that prolonged use of Roundup gave him non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, which was mentioned earlier in the article.

Melissen has been using Roundup since 1992, and not only used it at his business, but utilized the substance at his home.

Is There a Ban on Roundup?

Yes, several states and cities have enacted bans on Roundup.  According to Pintas and Mullins Law Firm, these are those places:

Arizona: Tucson

California: Burbank, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Petaluma, Richmond, and Thousand Oaks

Colorado: Boulder and Durango

Connecticut: Branford, Cheshire, Essex, Greenwich, Manchester, Plainville, Roxbury, Watertown, and Woodbridge

Florida: Fort Myers, Key West, Martin County, Miami, Miami Beach, North Miami, Satellite Beach, and Stuart

Illinois: Chicago, Evanston, Franklin Park, Naperville, and Urbana

Iowa: Dubuque

Maine: 29 cities have ordinances or bans

Maryland: Montgomery County

Minnesota

Nevada: Reno

New Jersey: Reduce or eliminate pesticides

New York: Same as New Jersey

Oregon: Portland

Texas: Austin and Denton

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Opponents of the Bill

State Rep Jennifer Konfrst, who opposes the bill, argues it could unjustly protect Bayer from accountability for causing cancer and harm to the constituency.

If you have a comment, please contact your representative and let them know how you feel.  Public comments are usually part of the debate process, but not always.

Be safe, friend.