Roundup is horrible and here’s why.
In the realm of sustainable living, candle choices extend beyond ambiance—they reflect our commitment to both environmental stewardship and the well-being of vital pollinators like bees. While soy candles have been marketed as a popular eco-friendly choice, concerns surrounding soy agriculture and its impact on our health — as well as the health of important pollinators like bees — prompts a closer look at an important alternative: beeswax candles.
What's Roundup?
You've likely seen it lining shelves or heard about its efficiency in eradicating weeds—Roundup, a herbicide manufactured by Monsanto and now under Bayer's umbrella, has been a staple in weed control since its inception in 1974. In 1996, Monsanto engineered Roundup Ready crops such as corn, soy, cotton and alfalfa. These special crops are resistant to Roundup and don’t die along with weeds. This allowed farmers to spray entire fields with Roundup without fear of losing crops. Roundup is a widely used weed killer, containing glyphosate as its active ingredient. Applied in various forms—liquid concentrate, solid, or ready-to-use liquid—this herbicide targets weeds by hindering essential plant enzymes, effectively causing plant death.
Soy Agriculture, Our Health and Bee Health
Soy cultivation is tied to concerns about its health effects on humans and bees. The widespread use of pesticides in soy farming, including the use of Roundup, has raised alarms about the detrimental impact on human and bee populations. These chemicals can disrupt bee health, affecting their immune systems and foraging behaviour, contributing to the decline in bee populations worldwide, and while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that glyphosate poses no health risks to humans if used as directed, contrasting independent studies have raised concerns about the links between heavy, prolonged glyphosate exposure and human health issues, notably non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
One review published in the scientific journal Mutation Research by researchers at the University of Washington found people with heavy exposure to glyphosate had a 41% increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma compared to those with light or no exposure.
The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) labeled glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," citing studies that suggested DNA damage and increased tumor growth in animals.
The Safety Question
Bayer, Roundup's manufacturer, asserts the safety of their product, backed by over 800 studies submitted to the EPA. However, legal cases have emerged, with individuals attributing their non-Hodgkin lymphoma to prolonged Roundup use. As of December 2023, Monsanto/Bayer has resolved close to 100,000 lawsuits over Roundup's cancer risks. These Monsanto settlements total ~$11 billion. In November 2023, over 4,000 Roundup cancer lawsuits were still pending in the California Roundup MDL.
Beeswax Candles: A Bee-Friendly Alternative
Skipping the soy and opting for beeswax candles offers a greener and bee-conscious choice. Beeswax, a natural byproduct of honey production by bees, not only supports local beekeeping but also avoids the potential environmental impact associated with soy agriculture. Choosing beeswax candles means supporting the preservation of bees and their ecosystems. Beeswax candles burn cleanly, emitting little smoke and no harmful chemicals. Moreover, beeswax has natural air-purifying properties, releasing negative ions, which is a good thing for the air in our homes.
Amidst concerns about soy agriculture's impact on bees, opting for beeswax candles becomes more than just a candle choice—it's a conscious decision to support our health, bee health, and promote sustainable practices. By choosing beeswax candles, we advocate for the well-being of essential pollinators and contribute to the preservation of our health and our ecosystems.
Moving Forward Responsibly Informed
As debates around Roundup persist, it's crucial to stay informed and exercise caution. Exploring alternative methods and ensuring safe handling practices are pivotal. While Bayer plans to cease residential Roundup sales in 2023 to mitigate lawsuits, commercial sales will continue.
Pesticides can pose risks to both humans and animals. To address this concern, Drugwatch, a website whose primary mission is to deliver unbiased information and resources to consumers ensuring that vital information remains accessible to everyone, has created a comprehensive guide that provides information and resources about Roundup and its potential health effects. Additionally, they created a guide that offers organic, homemade, and agricultural alternatives to mitigate these risks. Please feel free to explore them further by checking out these links:
https://www.drugwatch.com/roundup/
https://www.drugwatch.com/roundup/alternatives/
Final Thoughts
The Roundup debate remains a tug-of-war between regulatory reassurances and independent study findings. As users, it's our responsibility to remain informed, adopt safety measures, and explore eco-friendly alternatives. In the realm of weed control, choices matter. Let's ensure our choices align with safety, efficiency, and a greener future. Every choice we make, even in the seemingly small act of candle selection, carries implications for the environment and the creatures that inhabit it. In choosing beeswax candles, we stand with fostering a more sustainable future.
Let's light the way to a greener world—one beeswax candle at a time.