Two recent studies commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and performed by San Francisco-based Anresco Laboratories found the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer in every sample of popular oat-based cereal and other oat-based food marketed to children. These results contradict the the claims by the two manufacturers of the cereal, General Mills and Quaker Oats, who say that their products meet the legal standards of how much weed killer is allowed in the cereals. Yes, you heard that right . . . THE LEGAL AMOUNT OF WEED KILLER ALLOWED IN CHILDREN'S BREAKFAST CEREALS.
Interestingly enough, nearly all of the samples tested actually had residues of glyphosate at levels higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health with an adequate margin of safety. These findings of a carcinogenic chemical found in food come on the heels of another major study that suggests that eating an organic diet greatly reduces your chance of cancer.
The tests detected glyphosate in all 28 samples of products made with conventionally grown oats. All but two of the 28 samples had levels of glyphosate above EWG’s health benchmark of 160 parts per billion (ppb).
Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "probably carcinogenic" to people.
Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "probably carcinogenic" to people. This position has been steadfastly defended despite ongoing attacks by Monsanto. Most recently, in a groundbreaking case against Monsanto (and parent company Bayer), a jury ruled that Glyphosate did in fact cause the terminal cancer of a California man who was a groundskeeper for a school district near San Francisco. His case of lymphoma, which has left lesions on 80% of his body, is the first case which holds Monsanto liable for the disease because of their product.
In 2017, glyphosate was also listed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a chemical known to the state to cause cancer.
But just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. Federal government standards for pesticides in food (and water) are often outdated, not based on the best and most current science. The EPA’s standards for pesticides and other chemicals are also heavily influenced by lobbying from industry.
Is Glyphosate in our water?
Studies regularly find that the legal limits on contaminants in food, air, drinking water and consumer products fall short of fully protecting public health, particularly for children and other people more sensitive to the effects of toxic chemicals.
As of now there is no set level of how much of this cancer-causing toxin is allowed in our drinking water, and worse yet, most water suppliers do not even test for the toxin when performing their mandated glyphosate testing methods. Because it is unregulated, we were not able to determine who is affected by Glyphosate in their water.
It is safe to say that you are more likely to be affected by Glyphosate (and other herbicides and pesticides) in your water if you live near agriculture areas or if your water travels over a long distance to get to your home. To use California as an example, most of the water for California travels over long distances through agriculture areas in an exposed aqueduct, which makes it very susceptible to toxic contamination.
Do water filters remove Glyphosate (or other herbicides and pesticides)?
Most standard water filters are not designed to remove Glyphosates, herbicides and pesticides. Because many of these contaminants are not regulated by the EPA, many filters do not even bother with the ability to remove the toxic chemicals.
At Clearly Filtered we have always found it very important to ensure that we provide the safest and cleanest water possible so we always look to improve the capabilities of our filters. According to the lab that tests our filters, we were the first water filter that was certified to remove Glyphosate in water and the results show that our filters remove 99.9% of the toxin.
Not only is Glyphosate removed, but over 50+ other pesticides and herbicides are also removed from your water. As news comes out and knowledge of the effects of toxins are understood, we will always look to test for the harmful chemicals to ensure that we make sure our customers are safe when drinking their water.