Symptoms of Roundup® Poisoning

Roundup is a weedkiller and herbicide commonly used in residential and commercial applications to kill weeds and unwanted plants on contact. The active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate. Other inert chemicals in the product include formaldehyde, arsenic and N-nitrosoglyphosate.
 
Monsanto is the original manufacturer of Roundup. In 1970, the company discovered the chemical glyphosate and found that plants treated with it typically died within two to three days. Monsanto released Roundup on the market in 1974. Since its release, Roundup has been used in commercial operations and residential settings, including farms and other agricultural projects, landscaped areas and gardens.

Multiple studies have found repeat use of Roundup and other glyphosate-containing products to be linked to severe health conditions.

Why is Roundup dangerous?

One of the main concerns with Roundup comes from its active ingredient, glyphosate. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), determined that glyphosate is a Group 2A human carcinogen. This classification means there is a probable link between the use of glyphosate and the development of certain types of cancer.

The IARC Working Group also found an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and subtypes of NHL from using Roundup.

That elevated risk of glyphosate exposure may be more commonly associated with people who use Roundup herbicide regularly, like gardeners and agricultural workers.

Some common signs and symptoms of Roundup poisoning include skin irritation, throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. This is by no means an exhaustive list of Roundup exposure symptoms. The symptoms you may experience depend on how you’re exposed to Roundup and its active ingredient, glyphosate.

Exposure by skin contact is fairly common, especially for landscapers, agricultural workers and homeowners who apply Roundup to their plants. Some common Roundup on skin symptoms include:

• Eye irritation
• Nasal discomfort and irritation
• Photocontact dermatitis, which resembles a severe sunburn and may result in skin sensitivity, blistering and other similar conditions
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis of the eye)
• Skin irritation
• Superficial corneal injuries, or injuries to the first layer of the eye
• Tingling in the tongue and throat

You could also accidentally inhale or ingest Roundup when you apply it, even if you carefully follow the instructions on the label. Some common Roundup ingestion symptoms include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Anxiety
• Coma
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Kidney failure
• Low blood pressure
• Mouth irritation
• Slow heart rate
• Weakness

If you experience any of these symptoms, whether from contact with Roundup or by inhaling or ingesting Roundup, contact the Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or by using the webPOISONCONTROL tool on their website and seek medical attention immediately.

Ongoing health effects of Roundup exposure

The symptoms of Roundup poisoning may occur quickly. With proper treatment, the health effects of Roundup exposure may be managed or eliminated. However, short-term symptoms are not the only risk that Roundup users face. Ongoing health conditions and effects can impact individuals, particularly those who use (or used in the past) the weed killer frequently.

IAR reviewed a number of studies and assessed that there is a probable link between the use and exposure of Roundup and the development of certain cancers.

The IARC identified an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and other cancers, like leukemia, after exposure to Roundup. NHL is a type of cancer that impacts the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps your body filter various fluids. NHL starts in your white blood cells and can spread throughout the body through the lymphatic system.

The glyphosate-related cancers may start in parts of the body where lymph tissue is concentrated, including:

• Bone marrow
• Digestive tract
• Lymph nodes
• Spleen
• Thymus gland
• Tonsils

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma may lead to some symptoms becoming prevalent and noticeable as the disease progresses. Some symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Persistent fatigue
• Swelling in the lymph nodes, typically around your armpits, groin or neck
• Trouble breathing
• Unexplained weight loss

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma may be treated with the help of your doctor, but the disease can be fatal. Treatments may involve chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy and some surgeries.

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms or are concerned about an increased risk of developing NHL as a result of using Roundup, consult with your doctor as soon as possible. When detected in the early stages, non-Hodgkin lymphoma can have a survival rate of up to 83% . The sooner you can speak with your doctor, the sooner you’ll be able to receive the proper screenings and tests to determine a diagnosis.

Individuals with a history of using Roundup and who have developed NHL or another condition associated with Roundup use may be eligible to file a lawsuit against manufacturers Bayer and Monsanto.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have Roundup poisoning, seek medical attention immediately. You should not ignore symptoms of Roundup poisoning. After receiving medical care, you may wish to consider a Roundup lawsuit.

For immediate care, contact the Poison Control hotline by calling 1-800-222-1222 or using the webPOISONCONTROL tool on their website. They’ll be able to advise you on short-term actions you can take to mitigate potential longer-term health conditions.

Then, seek medical care as soon as possible.

If you’re concerned about long-term complications and health issues resulting from Roundup use, consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor. Tell them about your concerns and your history of use or exposure to Roundup.

Your doctor can review your symptoms and conduct thorough screenings to assess your risk factors and current health. Some of the NHL screening methods they may use include:

• Blood tests
• Bone marrow biopsies
• Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs or positron emission tomography (PET) scans
• Lumbar puncture (a spinal tap)
• Lymph node screenings
• Physical exams
• Urine tests

If the screening methods lead to a diagnosis of a condition like cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Roundup for your injuries.

People who develop NHL after Roundup exposure may be eligible to file a Roundup lawsuit. If this describes you or a loved one, contact a Roundup attorney to learn more about your options.

To be eligible for a lawsuit, you must have health conditions that resulted from using the product as intended and according to the instructions on the label. If your health concerns come from the intentional ingestion or inhalation of Roundup, you do not have a claim.

As of June 2024, 4,285 pending actions against Bayer and Monsanto are in the multidistrict litigation.
 
In Bayer’s 2024 Q1 financial report, the company reported:

• 170,000 total cases have been filed against Monsanto and Bayer
• 113,000 cases have been settled or are not eligible for settlement

If you’re interested in filing a case for Roundup exposure, consult a Motley Rice attorney. If you are eligible, we can help you gather the proof you need to file a Roundup lawsuit which could potentially lead to a Roundup verdict or a Roundup settlement through the litigation process. 

Our attorneys have experience litigating toxic exposure and pesticide cases for individuals, families and impacted communities. Through our cases, we seek justice for those impacted by exposure to toxic chemicals, like Roundup, Paraquat and other common pesticides.

Read more about our toxic exposure litigation experience