ST. LOUIS – Several plaintiffs have filed suit against the maker of herbicide Roundup over allegations the product caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Donald Fehr, et al. filed a complaint on Nov. 30 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against Monsanto Co., et al. alleging strict liability and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that as a result of their exposure to Monsanto's Roundup and other glyphosate-containing products, they were caused to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, and other illnesses.
A spokesperson for Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in June, indicated that the company stands behind the product. The company issued the following statement:
“Glyphosate-based herbicides have been used safely and successfully for over four decades worldwide and are a valuable tool to help farmers deliver crops to markets and practice sustainable farming by reducing soil tillage, soil erosion and carbon emissions. There is an extensive body of research on glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides, including more than 800 rigorous studies submitted to EPA, European and other regulators in connection with the registration process, that confirms that these products are safe when used as directed. Notably, the largest and most recent epidemiologic study – the 2018 independent National Cancer Institute long-term study that followed over 50,000 pesticide applicators and was published after the IARC monograph – found no association between glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer. Additionally, EPA’s 2017 post-IARC cancer risk assessment examined more than 100 studies the agency considered relevant and concluded that glyphosate is ‘not likely to be carcinogenic to humans,’ its most favorable rating. Bayer stands behind these products and will vigorously defend them.”
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory damages of more than $25,000 and any further relief as the court may deem proper, just and equitable. They are represented by James G. Onder, W. Wylie Blair and Mark E. Berns of Onder Law LLC in St. Louis; David G. Summers and Aaron C. Johnson of Summers & Johnson PC in Weston; and others.
St. Louis Circuit Court case number 1822-CC11745