Enlist Duo is an herbicide that was created to get rid of "superweeds", a name given to weeds that have developed resistance to other herbicides. It contains two very dangerous and toxic chemicals: glyphosate and 2,4-D. Enlist Duo is toxic enough that you must be certified to use it in the United States. The first chemical in Enlist Duo, glyphosate, is also the primary ingredient in Roundup, an herbicide manufactured by Monsanto which has been the subject of thousands of lawsuits. Glyphosate is a probable human carcinogen and has been linked to a host of health problems, most notably Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 2,4-D, the other chemical in Enlist Duo, is just as toxic and was one of the chemicals in Agent Orange, which was used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program in Vietnam. 2,4-D is linked to several devastating diseases.
You can be exposed to Enlist Duo through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. You are most likely to be exposed to Enlist Duo if you are a certified pesticide applicator who uses the herbicide for work. You may also be exposed if you live or work near fields where Enlist Duo is sprayed.
Enlist Duo is primarily used on commercial farms to control weeds. Applicators spray it on genetically engineered corn, cotton, and soybeans. Enlist Duo is meant to be used as part of a program to help with weed control and reduce crop resistance to herbicides. It is currently approved for use on corn, soybeans, and cotton in 34 states.
The simplest way to talk about the health effects of Enlist Duo is to talk about the health effects of each chemical it contains, glyphosate and 2,4-D.
Glyphosate is classified as probably carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). IARC has found strong evidence that glyphosate damages the genetic information of cells, also referred to as genotoxicity. Through their study, limited evidence was found on glyphosate exposure leading to cancer in humans, but sufficient evidence was found on exposure leading to cancer in experimental animals. Furthermore, the IARC conducted a statistical analysis of the link between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and found a significant association between the two. Even in low doses, glyphosate can cause genetic mutations, disrupt our endocrine function, and can be toxic to human cells.
2,4-D has also been classified as a probable human carcinogen by IARC and is suspected to cause blood and soft tissue cancers such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and sarcoma. 2,4-D is also an endocrine-disrupting chemical--a chemical that inhibits the hormones in the body--which can cause reproductive problems, birth defects, and thyroid disorders.
Multiple countries around the world and cities in the U.S. have banned or restricted glyphosate. Other countries have banned or restricted the use of 2,4-D. Bayer, the company that owns Monsanto, recently settled thousands of lawsuits with victims who claimed that their Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was caused by the glyphosate in Roundup. Despite the health risks that each of these chemicals presents, the US EPA has expanded approval of Enlist DUO to 34 states, and Corteva Agriscience continues to recommend the use of Enlist Duo which contains not one but two dangerous toxins.
While there is no test to determine if you've specifically been exposed to Enlist Duo, there are tests to determine if you've been exposed to glyphosate or 2,4-D respectively. 2,4-D leaves the body rather quickly, in about 4 days, so the test would need to be administered within that window. Glyphosate stays in the body for a longer period of time, and you can test for short-term exposure or long-term exposure. Both chemicals can be measured with either a urine or blood test. 2,4-D levels can also be measured using body tissue, and long-term exposure to glyphosate can be determined through a hair sample. These tests are not usually available at a doctor's office, but your physician can send samples to a special lab for testing. Some labs also offer at-home test kits.
If you use Enlist Duo for work, you should wear protective clothing and eyewear, avoid letting the spray drift onto you, and always wash your hands after applying it. If you live near an area where Enlist Duo is used, avoid walking barefoot outside and do not allow children or pets to play near recently sprayed areas.
If you are concerned about possible exposure to Enlist Duo, you should contact your primary care doctor or a doctor who is familiar with the health effects of toxic exposure to discuss what measures can be taken to protect your health.
The Collins Law Firm is an environmental litigation firm that fights for people who have been harmed by toxic exposure. If you have recently been diagnosed with an illness linked to toxic chemicals-such as Enlist Duo or others-- in your neighborhood, at your home, or on your farm, please call our toxic tort attorneys at (630) 527-1595 for a free consultation.
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