BRISBANE (CU)_One of the first studies of its kind in Australia has found 8% of urine samples taken from the public had the common weed killer. The study was conducted by Dr Sarit Kaserzon and PhD candidate Garth Campbell from the University of Queensland’s Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, analyzing urine sample from over 1,800 Australians and made a comparison with 27 samples from farmers from New Zealand.
Dr Kaserzon stated that identified small levels glyphosate, the world’s most commonly used herbicide chemical in 8% of samples from Australia which was compared to elevated levels glyphosate in 98% from New Zealand farmers as soon as they completed spraying the herbicide. “This indicates a strong link with occupational exposure for frequent users,” she said.
Glyphosate is usually taken into the body in food or water or by breathing in or absorbed via the skin when using the weed killer. Recent results by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA found over than 80% of urine samples taken from 2,310 US children and adults had components of glyphosate. According to the researchers, people don’t have to be worried by the low amounts detected in the Australian samples, but the researchers advised them to implement safety precautions.
Mr Campbell stated that there are many ways to bring down exposure to chemicals used in the house and garden daily and further said farmers and others frequently using chemicals with glyphosate should take protective measures with gloves and take measures prevent breathing in dust and mist. “I also highly recommend additional measures including protective clothing, mask wearing and hand washing after handling a product with glyphosate, and ensure it is stored safely” he said.
Funding for the study came from the Australian Research Council and appeared in Science of the Total Environment.