Pesticide Exposure leads to Genetic Damage in Soybean Workers

In a recent study researchers examined soybean workers in Brazil to determine the effects of repeated exposure to pesticides.  The lead researcher, Dr. Benedetti, chose the study area of Rio Grande do Sul, because Brazillian soybean workers are increasingly exposed to pesticide combinations.  The researchers found that exposure to these fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide cocktails can lead to DNA damage and elevated cell death of blood cells.  Glyphosate and 2,4-D were among the herbicides used by the exposed group.  2,4-D is increasingly used to combat glyphosate-resistant weeds in GM soybean fields, highlighting the potential health consequences of increased Roundup resistance development in combination with heavy glyphosate application on Round-up Ready crops.