Colorectal cancer kills more adults under 50 years old than any other cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

One cause may be the pesticide picloram. 

When scientists compared the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer to pesticide use by county, the strongest link was to picloram. Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto (now Bayer)’s Roundup herbicide, was a close second.

Scientists also used epigenetic fingerprints to pinpoint exposure risks, again finding that early-onset colorectal cancer is consistently associated with picloram.

The correlation between cancer and counties where picloram is sprayed suggests that exposure is environmental. The data the scientists used to determine pesticide use by county came from the National Water-Quality Assessment, which measures pesticides pollution of surface waters. Picloram is found in drinking water in many parts of the country, so it’s likely that’s how people are being exposed, but the scientists noted that “dietary exposure to residues of picloram is plausible as it has been found in grain and meat byproducts, and the effects of long-term use on human health have not been described so far.” 

Picloram is an herbicide sold under the brand-name Tordon by Dow-DuPont spinoff Corteva Agriscience. The U.S. purchased picloram from Dow for use as a chemical weapon in its war against Vietnam. It was mixed with 2,4-D to create Agent White. Evidence that Tordon is carcinogenic began to surface as soon as it was used at home. 

In addition to picloram, Tordon is contaminated with hexachlorobenzene and ethylene oxide which are known to cause cancer, as well as birth defects, and other reproductive harms.

Tordon is a hormone-based weedkiller that has become a huge problem for grape-growers, vineyards, and winemakers who suffer significant spray damage from its use.

Picloram persists in water and can make irrigation water deadly to crops like pumpkins, watermelons, and tobacco. Regularly used to kill weeds in pastures (it doesn’t kill grass), it is so persistent that if a cow grazes a field sprayed with picloram, its manure will be contaminated. Compost made from picloram-contaminated manure is deadly to vegetable crops.

TAKE ACTION: Ban Picloram and All Carcinogenic Pesticides!