Herbicide Lawsuit Results in $2 Billion Settlement

Update 06/19/19: The herbicide maker involved in this action asked a Federal judge to overrule the $2 billion verdict awarded by a jury, stating that their decision was not supported by the evidence presented. 

A California jury awarded a married couple more than $2,000,000,000 after their lawyers argued they were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after years of using Roundup.

Roundup is the most used herbicide on the planet and is currently the subject of many legal actions across the country due to the perceived health effects associated with prolonged use. The $2 billion award is likely to be reduced in future court proceedings.

EPA Finds Glyphosate is Not a Carcinogen

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires US EPA to periodically re-evaluate the hazards posed by pesticides. EPA recently released a Proposed Interim Registration Review for glyphosate and found “no risk to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label and that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.”

While some dispute this finding, it is consistent with a 2017 EPA risk assessment for glyphosate and an Agricultural Health Study released last year. 

Public comments on EPA’s findings will be accepted until July 5, 2019.

On May 6, EPA posted a notice of a petition to lower the tolerance for use of glyphosate on oats from 30 ppm to 0.1 ppm to more adequately protect children. Comments on this notice are due to EPA before June 5, 2019.

Convenient, Effective Online EHS Manager Training

Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, EPCRA, CERLCA, and more—is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field, or need an update on changing EPA rules, online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise.

Check out the latest EPA compliance training options here: 
 
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 
 
The 2019 nationwide schedule for the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop is now available. Collaborate with other managers to identify the requirements that apply to your facility, ask the right questions, and make the right decisions about EPA compliance.
 

Tags: environmental compliance, EPA, FIFRA, pesticides