Exposure effect: Glyphosate levels linked to shortened pregnancy length - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Exposure effect: Glyphosate levels linked to shortened pregnancy length

Indo Asian News Service | ByIndo Asian News Service, New York
Mar 26, 2018 10:30 AM IST

According to the researchers, this study is the first to examine glyphosate exposure in pregnant women in the US using urine specimens as a direct measure of exposure.

Researchers have found that glyphosate levels - a broad spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant - are significantly correlated with shortened pregnancy lengths.

According to the researchers, this study is the first to examine glyphosate exposure in pregnant women in the US using urine specimens as a direct measure of exposure.(Shutterstock)
According to the researchers, this study is the first to examine glyphosate exposure in pregnant women in the US using urine specimens as a direct measure of exposure.(Shutterstock)

According to the researchers, this study is the first to examine glyphosate exposure in pregnant women in the US using urine specimens as a direct measure of exposure.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Although our study cohort was small and regional and had limited racial or ethnic diversity, it provides direct evidence of maternal glyphosate exposure and a significant correlation with shortened pregnancy,” said lead author Shahid Parvez.

“There is growing evidence that even a slight reduction in gestational length can lead to lifelong adverse consequences,” said Parvez, an Assistant Professor at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at the Institute of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

For the study, published in the journal Environmental Health, researchers recruited 77 pregnant women between the ages of 18 to 40 years, from June 2015 to June 2016. They found that 93 % of the women had detectable levels of glyphosate in their urine.

The researchers said that the public drinking water supply may not be the primary source of glyphosate exposure, as none of the tested drinking water samples showed glyphosate residues. The dietary intake of genetically modified food items and caffeinated beverages is suspected to be the main source of glyphosate intake, the researcher said.

“We found higher urine glyphosate levels in women who lived in rural areas, and in those who consumed more caffeinated beverages,” Parvez said.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

Oscars 2024: Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On