Common U.S. Pesticide May Cause Cancer From the Womb, New Study Warns

A study published on June 10, 2025, in Environmental Health (Ramazzini Institute) reveals that prolonged prenatal exposure to glyphosate—a key ingredient in herbicides like Roundup—caused multiple types of cancer in rats, even at levels considered safe for human consumption. After two years of observation, researchers identified up to six types of malignant tumors, including leukemia, liver, ovarian, and nervous system cancers.

The study tracked Sprague-Dawley rats whose mothers were exposed to glyphosate or commercial formulations throughout pregnancy. The results were striking: early deaths due to leukemia (40% before one year of age—equivalent to under 35–40 years in humans) and a significant rise in tumors, even at doses authorized for human intake.

Public Health Impact and Prenatal Vulnerability

While the findings are based on animal models, they serve as a red flag. Glyphosate remains the world’s most widely used herbicide, despite being classified as a “probable human carcinogen” by the IARC in 2015. Previous epidemiological studies have linked prenatal pesticide exposure to illnesses such as childhood leukemia—with risk increases of up to 2.18 times—and cognitive impairments in newborns.

Experts Raise Concerns

Medical professionals and toxicologists emphasize that such results call for stricter caution, especially for pregnant individuals and the general population. The CDC discourages pesticide exposure during pregnancy, citing associations with miscarriage, birth defects, and hormonal disruption.

Are “Safe” Doses Really Safe?

Governments typically regulate pesticide use by establishing acceptable daily intake limits. However, this study suggests that even these “safe” levels may trigger carcinogenic processes during critical developmental stages. Furthermore, commercial formulations might be more harmful than glyphosate alone, potentially due to adjuvants in the final product.

Policy Implications and Scientific Debate

While glyphosate use remains widespread in U.S. agriculture, countries like Canada and several in the European Union have introduced restrictions based on similar scientific concerns. This new evidence could prompt renewed debate on revising legal exposure limits and encouraging safer, more sustainable farming practices.

Conclusion

This study presents compelling evidence of glyphosate’s carcinogenic potential beginning in utero. While large-scale human data is still lacking, the warning signs are strong enough to consider public health reforms: shielding mothers and unborn children from chemical exposures in both rural and residential environments. Public health faces a key crossroads—prioritize agricultural efficiency, or act on the science to prevent cancer from the cradle.