New findings published in Archives of Toxicology found that mixtures of glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D produced intestinal inflammation and microbiome disruption in rats exposed to doses currently permitted by regulators.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A newly published study in Archives of Toxicology has raised new concerns over the safety of widely used agricultural herbicides after researchers found that combinations of glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D caused intestinal injury and microbial disruption in laboratory rats at exposure levels currently considered acceptable by regulators.
The research was led by Dr. Michael Antoniou of King’s College London and examined the effects of herbicide mixtures commonly applied to genetically engineered crops designed to tolerate multiple weedkillers. Scientists investigated both glyphosate alone and combinations of glyphosate with dicamba and 2,4-D, focusing on exposure levels aligned with limits approved by European Union regulators.
According to the study authors, the findings challenge current regulatory practices that evaluate pesticides individually rather than assessing how chemicals interact when combined in real-world agricultural settings.
“This study comprises the most comprehensive investigation of the impact of glyphosate on gut structure and function,” the researchers wrote, adding that it was also the first investigation to evaluate combined exposure to glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D at what regulators classify as “safe” intake levels.
The study monitored rats exposed beginning in prenatal development and continuing through the testing period. Researchers documented chronic inflammation in the intestines, vascular congestion, tissue abnormalities, and structural damage in both the small and large intestines. The large intestine showed the most severe effects.
Scientists also observed evidence of increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as “leaky gut,” a condition associated in scientific literature with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. In addition, researchers identified significant alterations to gut microbial communities, suggesting that herbicide mixtures may interfere with bacteria involved in digestion, immune function, and metabolism.
Female rats were reported to be especially susceptible to the combined herbicide exposure. While glyphosate alone produced measurable biological effects, the combination of glyphosate with dicamba and 2,4-D resulted in substantially greater intestinal damage.
GMWatch, which reported on the findings, stated that the research demonstrated herbicide mixtures produced harmful biological effects even at doses regulators currently regard as acceptable.
“The findings show that the levels of these herbicides, when ingested as a mixture, have adverse effects and are not safe at all – and that regulatory assurances of safety are false,” GMWatch wrote.
Dr. Antoniou warned that the findings may carry broader implications for populations in the United States, where use of dicamba and 2,4-D has expanded significantly following the rise of glyphosate-resistant weeds.
“Our findings are particularly worrying for citizens of the U.S., where there has been a massive escalation in the use of 2,4-D and dicamba along with glyphosate in recent years due to vast field infestation of glyphosate-resistant weeds and the subsequent launch of glyphosate/2,4-D/dicamba-tolerant GMO crops,” Antoniou said.
He also pointed to human biomonitoring studies showing increased urinary levels of dicamba and 2,4-D in the United States since the adoption of herbicide-tolerant genetically engineered crops.
“Thus, our findings have serious public health implications,” Antoniou added.
The researchers compared animals exposed to glyphosate at the European Union’s “acceptable daily intake” threshold and “no-observed-adverse-effect level” against rats exposed to the combined herbicide mixture at equivalent regulatory intake levels. The study authors concluded that chemical mixtures should be incorporated into future regulatory testing standards.
Antoniou told GMWatch that the results demonstrate such combined effects “must be included in regulatory safety studies” and argued that “chemical pollutants need to be evaluated for toxicity as mixtures and not only as individual agents, as is currently practised by regulators in all nations.”
The publication also renewed scrutiny over Monsanto’s historical handling of glyphosate safety research. Internal company documents made public during litigation revealed communications concerning scientific reviews and discussions surrounding carcinogenicity findings related to Roundup, Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide product. Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer AG in 2018, has paid billions of dollars in settlements connected to lawsuits alleging Roundup exposure caused cancer.
Court filings previously revealed internal debates over toxicology assessments and concerns regarding research involving glyphosate formulations and surfactants used in herbicide products. Regulatory disputes intensified after the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate in 2015 as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
The study also addressed the expansion of dicamba- and 2,4-D-resistant crops after widespread glyphosate use contributed to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds. Despite federal court rulings overturning prior dicamba approvals, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reapproved dicamba products for use on genetically engineered cotton and soybean crops in February 2024.
The report further discussed concerns involving agricultural contamination of livestock feed and pet food. Researchers and veterinary experts cited in the article argued that exposure to herbicide residues may contribute to chronic disease patterns in animals, including autoimmune disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and certain cancers.
The article also referenced survey data involving more than 3,200 individuals who reported health improvements after switching to non-GMO diets, including reductions in digestive symptoms, fatigue, allergies, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions. Pet owners participating in the survey similarly reported changes in digestive health, allergies, and energy levels in animals after altering feed sources.
The authors of the new study said additional long-term research is needed to better understand how chronic exposure to combined herbicides may affect human health and disease risk over time.
Source: Natural News
Watch the video below where Diane Kazer talks to Mike Adams about glyphosate, aluminum and leaky gut.
This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com.
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