People in 18 countries across Europe have been found to have traces of the weed killer glyphosate in their urine. Tests were commissioned by Friends of the Earth Europe and the results show that traces of of the weedkiller glyphosate were found in humans.
Glyphosate-based weed killers, are commonly used by farmers, public authorities and gardeners across Europe. The use of glyphosate is predicted to rise further if more genetically modified (GM) crops are grown in Europe. There is currently little monitoring of glyphosate in food, water or the wider environment and this study is the first time that monitoring has been carried out across Europe for the presence of the weed killer in human bodies.