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WGU D618 TASK 2 | LATEST UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
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 directly with an increase in the levels
WGU D618 TASK 2 | LATEST UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
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 directly with an increase in the levels
