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Jun 2025
34m 40s

Is it safe to use weed killer (Roundup)?

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode

Melissa and Jam discuss the multifaceted debate surrounding the use of the widely known weed killer, Roundup, specifically its active ingredient, glyphosate. Prompted by a listener's question, they explore the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of glyphosate, including its effectiveness in agriculture, potential health risks, and environmental impacts. They delve into scientific studies, regulatory concerns, and personal anecdotes to provide a comprehensive overview of this controversial herbicide.

00:00 Introduction to Weed Killers
01:34 Listener's Question on Glyphosate
03:24 Understanding Glyphosate
08:32 The Good and Bad of Glyphosate
11:09 Health Concerns and Controversies
18:44 Whistleblowing and Evidence on Glyphosate
19:05 Human Health Impacts of Glyphosate
20:37 Environmental Effects of Glyphosate
23:00 Regulatory Considerations and Future Actions
26:16 Personal Decisions and Practical Advice
31:12 Community Engagement and Support

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References from this episode:

  1. https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/glyphosate/6885.article
  2. https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/how-a-herbicide-illustrates-the-many-ways-chemicals-are-put-to-the-test/4021190.article
  3. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/pii/S2152265021001518#coi0001 - Note that The author has been paid as an expert in glyphosate litigation.
  4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8223940/ Note that author PB acted as consultant for glyphosate producers, on matters not related to glyphosate
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11354939/#notes5 Not notes here, but they essentially said it seems like we need more studies, there seems to be some correlation. 
  6. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/pii/S0048969717330279?casa_token=0V1BAIP8ZFgAAAAA:0O5yGT0FK4sbuZBIhieomHGxbm-0Y_Y7VtoPEaHFcArD9FS3aczcDKHV0nU7KfwA0erzOVNHwA#s0080 - Some salaries paid for by organizations, wasn’t clear their relationship to glyphosate, but no disclosure or conflict of interest statement was made here. 
  7. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/9/4605 - No conflicts of interest
  8. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf7482

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