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Weed killer found in 90 per cent of urine samples given by people in Malta
Nine out of 10 urine samples in Malta contained traces of glyphosate.
Tests carried out by Friends of the Earth Malta show that people have traces of the weed killer glyphosate in their bodies.
Laboratory tests carried out by the group reveal that nine out of ten urine samples of people in Malta contained traces of glyphosate.
The results in Malta are mirrored in results across Europe - with 45 per cent of samples from volunteers in 18 countries found to contain traces of the chemical.
All the volunteers who gave samples live in urban areas, and none had handled or used glyphosate products in the run-up to the tests. This is the first time monitoring has been carried out across Europe for the presence of the weed killer in humans.
Glyphosate is one of the most widely-used weed killers in the world, used by farmers, local government and gardeners, as well as being sprayed extensively on some genetically modified crops imported into Europe for use as animal feed.
The biggest producer is Monsanto, which sells it under the brand name 'Roundup'.
Despite its widespread use, its presence in food and water is rarely monitored by governments.
Martin Galea De Giovanni from Friends of the Earth Malta said: "Most people will be worried to discover that there is weed killer in their bodies and will want to know why it is there and what effect it is having."
"These results suggest we are being exposed to glyphosate in our everyday lives, yet we don't know where it is coming from, how widespread it is in the environment, or what it is doing to our bodies."
Friends of the Earth Malta has said it is asking the Maltese government to immediately step-up their monitoring to ensure Maltese people are not being put at risk.
In Europe, glyphosate is widely used by farmers to clear weeds from fields before planting, or before seeds have germinated. It is also sometimes sprayed on to cereal crops, oilseed rape, maize and sunflowers ahead of harvesting to dry out the crops.
Fourteen glyphosate-resistant genetically modified (GM) crops are currently waiting for approval for cultivation in the EU.
Emmanuel Mallia •
Buy Maltese fresh vegetables, fresh alright, but full of pesticides, as the data suggest !!!!
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Our local farmers'harvest is scrutinised for pesticides and the appealing imported costly fruit and veg which also has a bigger carbon footprint due to its transportation is not! Go local.
Emmanuel Mallia •
Our supermarkets are filled with rice of American origin, well known for GM. TCP, a banned chemical is still found in some pharmacies ! The authorities encourage us to consume local dairy, vegetables and meat products, they are fresh ok, but,is there enough control on the chemicals our farmers are using ?? Online shopping makes it difficult to control ! Are we eating mercury contaminated Tuna and Salmon ? The health authorities have a lot to answer.
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I eat a lot of salads,wonder if i am eating weed killer. Health department should act immediately.There is a high percentage of people having neurological decease.
Urgent
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When one imports homeopathic or alternative medicine it seems that the incompetent authorities try to block this, whilst at the same time it seems that spraying of poison to kill off weeds goes on without anybody ever checking and this finally ends up in one's body!
I think that the authorities should step on stopping these weed killers from being used with immediate effect!
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Monsanto is the world peoples murderer. They make GMOs to resist an ever-increasing dose of weed killers which not only contaminate crops but also the ground water and the sea. Do our authorities check all food for GMOs and contaminants especially imported food?
