Why do we keep falling for the same assurances when history has taught us better?
Time and again, substances once hailed as safe have later proven to be profoundly harmful. Asbestos, lead in gasoline, tobacco, and trans fats all share a common narrative: declared safe by industry and government until undeniable evidence, public outcry, and damning data forced a reckoning.
Could glyphosate be next?
The Pattern Repeats
Let’s take a moment to remember the assurances that once surrounded now notorious substances:
Asbestos:
Once celebrated for its fire-resistant properties, asbestos was used in construction and manufacturing worldwide. For decades, industries denied its harmful effects, even as evidence mounted about its link to mesothelioma and other cancers. Only after countless lives were lost did regulations finally change.
Lead in Gasoline:
Lead was introduced to gasoline to improve engine performance, despite early warnings about its toxicity. Even when studies linked lead exposure to neurological damage, especially in children, it took decades before it was finally phased out. Industry lobbyists and misleading reports delayed protective measures for years.
Tobacco:
Cigarettes were once marketed as health products, with doctors appearing in advertisements to endorse smoking. As research emerged linking tobacco to lung cancer and heart disease, the tobacco industry scrambled to manipulate data and influence public perception. It took relentless legal battles and undeniable evidence to finally shift the public narrative.
Trans Fats:
These fats were long marketed as a healthier alternative to saturated fats. Only after decades of use did scientific consensus emerge about their role in heart disease. The food industry fought regulations and continued to promote trans fats as safe, even while health advocates warned of the dangers.
These examples are just a few among many substances once deemed safe but later found to cause harm. Others include DDT, once hailed as a miracle pesticide; 2,4,5-T, a key ingredient in Agent Orange, linked to severe health issues; PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), used in electrical equipment until their carcinogenic properties became clear; and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are still widely used despite growing evidence of their environmental persistence and health risks.
Glyphosate – The New Contender?
Today, glyphosate is hailed as the world’s most widely used herbicide. Industries claim it is safe, with regulatory bodies like New Zealand’s MPI proposing to increase allowable levels on food crops, aligning with international standards. But history teaches us that safety claims from industry should not be accepted at face value.
What if we’re repeating the same mistake? Studies are emerging that suggest glyphosate could have harmful effects on human health and the environment. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. Yet, just as with asbestos, lead, and tobacco, industry voices loudly proclaim safety.
The Lessons We Haven’t Learned
Why are we willing to wait for undeniable harm when the warning signs are already here? Could glyphosate be another chapter in the long history of substances deemed safe—until they’re not?
We must ask: Are we prioritizing profit over precaution? Are regulators too entangled with industry to act in the public’s best interest? How can we ensure that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated with glyphosate?
Call to Action
We can’t afford to wait for an overwhelming body of evidence before taking action. The cost could be too high. It’s time to question the narrative that raising allowable levels of glyphosate on food crops is safe. Speak up, demand transparency, and advocate for science-based precautionary measures.
Final Thought
If history has shown us anything, it’s that safety assurances often crumble under the weight of evidence. Let’s not add glyphosate to the list of substances once declared safe but ultimately deemed dangerous. Question the narrative. Demand better. We owe it to ourselves and future generations.
Or is it too late?
Resources & References
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point for deeper exploration. Stay curious, stay critical, and keep asking the hard questions.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
This publication details the long-term health effects of asbestos exposure.
Link to archived content from the CDC website
Lead Exposure and Health Effects
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
An overview of the health impacts of lead exposure, particularly in children.
Link to Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Health Effects of Smoking and Tobacco Products
American Lung Association
Discusses the health risks associated with smoking and the battle to regulate tobacco.
Link to Tobacco and Lung Health
Books:
The following books are linked to Amazon.com for your convenience. If you decide to purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science
By Carey Gillam [amazon.com]
An investigative book that uncovers the influence of Monsanto in promoting glyphosate as safe despite mounting evidence of harm.
Silent Spring
By Rachel Carson [amazon.com]
A groundbreaking book that challenged the safety of widespread chemical use, inspiring the modern environmental movement.
Stay curious and keep questioning the narratives around chemical safety.
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