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D618 – Environmental Health
Task 2: Writing Governmental Policy Proposal
, 2
A: Potential Health Impacts
There are serious risks associated with glyphosate exposure that pose a threat of
carcinogenesis, which results in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Specifically, the IARC has
categorized glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen" based on convincing evidence
regarding its genotoxic effects as well as the results of carcinogenic studies involving animals.
Even at low levels of exposure, glyphosate is known to cause various cancers in rats, thus
explaining the increased incidence of cancer among highly exposed people, including farmers
and other agricultural workers (Malkan, 2026). Continuous exposure to herbicides containing
glyphosate has been found to be highly correlated with the onset of steatosis liver disease
associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD). Glyphosate leads to inflammation of the liver,
oxidative stress, and scar formation, which are key signs of liver disease. There have also been
findings that high excretion rates of glyphosate among individuals are related to higher chances
of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These hepatic effects are particularly
worrisome considering that they can even occur under "environmentally relevant exposure
conditions" (Malkan, 2026).
A1: Dose Response to Glyphosate and Health Impacts
The dose response effect of glyphosate in relation to its carcinogenic properties reveals
that even though “ever-exposure” poses greater health risks, the greatest exposure levels have the
greatest association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). There is a trend whereby those with
the greatest exposure quartile for lifetime-exposure days and intensity-weighted days have a
significantly increased chance of developing B-cell lymphoma compared to those with minimal
exposure. Meta-analyses conducted among agricultural workers indicate that exposure to high
levels, particularly those involving direct contact while mixing or applying, increases the
likelihood of developing NHL, implying that the body’s capacity for DNA repair is
overwhelmed by higher doses (Malkan, 2026). Concerning metabolic diseases, the dose-response
effect for liver disease takes place in the form of prolonged low exposure which causes system
accumulation and subsequent destruction. Environmentally relevant concentrations are safe
according to regulatory authorities, glyphosate exhibits a dose-dependent disruption of the gut-
liver axis. It is evident that the levels of glyphosate and its metabolite, AMPA, in urine increase
proportionately with higher biological markers for liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and
advanced fibrosis. This clearly suggests that the probability of developing MASLD increases
D618 – Environmental Health
Task 2: Writing Governmental Policy Proposal
, 2
A: Potential Health Impacts
There are serious risks associated with glyphosate exposure that pose a threat of
carcinogenesis, which results in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Specifically, the IARC has
categorized glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen" based on convincing evidence
regarding its genotoxic effects as well as the results of carcinogenic studies involving animals.
Even at low levels of exposure, glyphosate is known to cause various cancers in rats, thus
explaining the increased incidence of cancer among highly exposed people, including farmers
and other agricultural workers (Malkan, 2026). Continuous exposure to herbicides containing
glyphosate has been found to be highly correlated with the onset of steatosis liver disease
associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD). Glyphosate leads to inflammation of the liver,
oxidative stress, and scar formation, which are key signs of liver disease. There have also been
findings that high excretion rates of glyphosate among individuals are related to higher chances
of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These hepatic effects are particularly
worrisome considering that they can even occur under "environmentally relevant exposure
conditions" (Malkan, 2026).
A1: Dose Response to Glyphosate and Health Impacts
The dose response effect of glyphosate in relation to its carcinogenic properties reveals
that even though “ever-exposure” poses greater health risks, the greatest exposure levels have the
greatest association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). There is a trend whereby those with
the greatest exposure quartile for lifetime-exposure days and intensity-weighted days have a
significantly increased chance of developing B-cell lymphoma compared to those with minimal
exposure. Meta-analyses conducted among agricultural workers indicate that exposure to high
levels, particularly those involving direct contact while mixing or applying, increases the
likelihood of developing NHL, implying that the body’s capacity for DNA repair is
overwhelmed by higher doses (Malkan, 2026). Concerning metabolic diseases, the dose-response
effect for liver disease takes place in the form of prolonged low exposure which causes system
accumulation and subsequent destruction. Environmentally relevant concentrations are safe
according to regulatory authorities, glyphosate exhibits a dose-dependent disruption of the gut-
liver axis. It is evident that the levels of glyphosate and its metabolite, AMPA, in urine increase
proportionately with higher biological markers for liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and
advanced fibrosis. This clearly suggests that the probability of developing MASLD increases
