Dicamba lawsuit: Is it harmful to people?

Bayer is confronting a massive influx of herbicide lawsuits—but this time, it’s not over Monsanto’s Roundup.

The herbicide Dicamba is the most widely used component in many weed-killer products in the United States. It has now become another multibillion-dollar challenge for Bayer AG and its German competitor, BASF.

More than a thousand Dicamba class action lawsuits have been filed against the Dicamba manufacturers. Dicamba lawsuit alleges that it caused massive destruction throughout the Midwestern United States when it drifted over crops that weren’t designed to withstand it.

Bayer is already trying to settle hundreds of lawsuits alleging that their Roundup weed killer causes cancer.

Both Dicamba and Roundup are manufactured by Monsanto, which Bayer purchased in 2018. Monsanto has been battling litigation over its Dicamba chemical since 2015.

However, the fundamental question regarding the herbicide Dicamba is whether it can be potentially harmful to people, similar to Roundup.

You can acquire a complete knowledge about the Dicamba lawsuit through this blog, including how Dicamba impacts farmers, how harmful it is to humans, and eventually, how to file a Dicamba lawsuit and seek compensation if it has seriously harmed you.

What is Dicamba?

Dicamba is a chlorophenoxy family benzoic acid herbicide, which is a crucial component in several weed killers. It is a selective herbicide that is only effective against certain weeds.

Some plants may be severely hazardous, while others are less so. It comes in several salt and acid formulations.

The chemical name of Dicamba: 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxy benzoic acid

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

In 1962, the broad-spectrum herbicide Dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxy benzoic acid) was only permitted for use in non-crop regions. It was then granted a license in 1967 to remove cropland weeds directly before planting.

Before the 2016 growing season, farmers were not allowed to use Dicamba on developing plants. They could apply it both before and after harvesting crops.

This formulation was changed in 2016 when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorized “new Dicamba formulations” that Dicamba could spray over the top of the developing plants in the growing season of 2017.

Dicamba vs. Glyphosate 

The herbicide Dicamba destroys broadleaf weeds but does not affect the grass. It is used to eradicate invasive weeds (such as clover, dandelion, and others) from lawns at home.

Non-selective herbicides are glyphosate. As a result, it tries to destroy all plants, even grasses. The ideal use of it is for localized weed and pest grass control.

The use of Dicamba in agricultural applications was prohibited in the U.S. beginning in 2020. However, this decision was reversed. Because Dicamba vapor spread from where it was sprayed to other crops, destroying them, there was a backlash against this pesticide.

Although Dicamba is still present in certain products for home use, there are worries about its toxicity. In general, Glyphosate is considered to be safer.

Is Dicamba the same as Roundup?

Dicamba and Roundup are not similar. Roundup is a brand name for a collection of weed control products.

• Some Roundup products include the active chemical Dicamba, but not all.
• The majority of standard Roundup products have Glyphosate but not Dicamba.
• Dicamba is included in Roundup for lawns.
• Glyphosate is included in the authoritative

Roundup is well known for producing weed killers centered on Glyphosate. When purchasing a Roundup product, check the active components on the label. Glyphosate or Dicamba may be present.

What are some Dicamba-containing products?

Dicamba is now found in over 1100 products sold in the United States. Dicamba-containing products include:

• FeXapan herbicide with VaporGrip Technology
• XTENDIMAX with VaporGrip Technology
• Tavium
• Engenia Herbicide

Is Dicamba illegal?

In 2020, agricultural damage from Dicamba vapor floating from Dicamba-resistant crops to other crops led to a temporary prohibition, but the EPA later categorized it as safe.

The most recent ruling, handed out in October 2020, permitted Dicamba for use in the United States for agricultural applications.

The toxic pesticide may once again be banned since its usage is still fiercely debated. Even if this restriction might not immediately apply to home usage, every prospective buyer of this product ought to be informed of the debate and potential risks associated with its use.

Numerous concerns about crop damage

Since implementing the new method, several states with agricultural production have reported increased Dicamba drift damage reports, including hundreds of complaints from Illinois, Indiana, Lowa, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Because of concerns over Dicamba drift damage, farmers in several U.S. states have filed lawsuits.

Dicamba drift lawsuit

A federal panel moved nine claims in February 2018 alleging dicamba caused crop damage to a federal court in the Eastern District of Missouri so that a single judge could handle them collectively. The combined litigation consisted of 37 cases as of March 2019. Similar allegations are made in each case regarding the production, testing, and distribution of Monsanto’s dicamba-resistant Xtend seeds, as well as three dicamba-based herbicides called XtendiMax, Engenia, and FeXapan. As defendants, they identify Monsanto, BASF, and DuPont.

Dicamba updates 2024

February 6 2024 : US courts cancelled the approval of three popular dicamba products XtendiMax, Engenia, and Tavium. This means Monsanto’s sale of dicamba products are now illegal except in some aspects. The Environmental activists who fought for the ban of Dicamba appreciated the courts decision.

February 14, 2024: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Existing Stocks Order allowing for limited use of existing stocks of these products in specific circumstances for the 2024 growing season. This aims to mitigate the impact on farmers who already purchased the products.

Dicamba settlement

Monsanto has agreed to pay up to $300 million in compensation to soybean farmers who filed Dicamba lawsuits, as well as additional payments to certain farmers of other crops who experienced Dicamba damage as a result of Dicamba being sprayed on top of Dicamba-tolerant cotton or soybeans from 2015 to 2020.

The Dicamba manufacturers quickly resolved the issue, but what will happen if the pesticide Dicamba affects people and results in various issues?

You might be curious how weed killer affects people. But it is feasible.

How might I be exposed to Dicamba?

Dicamba-containing products might be used on household lawns, farms, golf courses, and rights-of-way along electric lines, roadsides, and railways. You may be exposed if you use Dicamba and get it on your skin, inhale it, or eat or smoke after that without washing your hands.

You may also be affected if you handle plants that have been sprayed. If you use Dicamba-containing products, you can reduce your exposure by carefully following the instructions. You should also avoid Dicamba-sprayed grass and plants until the leaves are dry.

Dicamba has been identified in well water in rare circumstances, although usually in low amounts. These levels are typically so low that no influence on human health is predicted. Dicamba has also been identified at deficient levels of house dust in farmers’ residences.

Is Dicamba in our food?

Dicamba herbicides are predicted to persist in food in the same manner as glyphosate herbicides in agricultural fields. They have been observed in glyphosate residues on and in processed foods like oatmeal, bread, and cereals.

Farmers who have had their products contaminated by Dicamba residues due to drift have voiced fear that this issue may cause customers to reject their products or harm their company.

What are some signs and symptoms of brief exposure to Dicamba?

• If pure Dicamba is inhaled, it is not harmful, but the person may feel dizziness and nasal discomfort, leading to coughing.
• If you receive pure Dicamba on your skin, it is not poisonous but may cause skin irritation.
• Dicamba is quite dangerous if it gets in your eyes.
• People who have consumed Dicamba have experienced symptoms such as vomiting, lack of appetite, and muscular spasms. When consumed in significant quantities, diarrhea and stomach discomfort have been reported.

Is Dicamba harmful to humans?

Although the EPA asserts that Dicamba is not dangerous, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered that using the pesticide Dicamba can raise the chance of acquiring a variety of cancers, including,

• Breast cancer
• Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The increased risk of hypothyroidism is also considered as dicamba side effects. The research, which was presented in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Epidemiology, is the most extensive epidemiological research on the link between Dicamba and cancer to date.

For over two decades, it tracked roughly 50,000 pesticide applicators in Lowa and North Carolina, recording pesticide usage and cancer incidence.

As per the findings, this is due to the increased use of drift-prone pesticides across millions of acres in a significant portion of the Midwest and South in the last three years due to the EPA’s approval of Dicamba on genetically modified soyabeans and cotton.

Why should Dicamba be banned?

Farmers should be allowed to decide what to plant and how to raise food responsibly, even while maintaining the health of their farms. And the general public should have believed that the food in their grocery shops does not contain hazardous chemicals that threaten their health.

By prohibiting Dicamba, we can preserve public health and the livelihoods of our country’s farmers. This will immediately impact the safety of our food and farms and assist farmers in reducing their dependency on giant agribusinesses.

Is there any Dicamba lawsuit that alleges Dicamba causes cancer?

As the severe effects of Dicamba were only founded recently, still now there are no lawsuits against Dicamba for causing cancer. But in the future, this may change as a mass tort because of Dicamba’s possible side effects on the people.

The National Institutes of Health researchers highlight the irresponsibility of Dicamba manufacturers such as Monsanto (Bayer), BASF, Syngenta, and Corveta in failing to educate the public about the Dicamba’s cancer danger, which may end in severe conflict.

Am I eligible to file a Dicamba lawsuit alleging that it causes cancer?

If you or a family member used Dicamba on your farm or lawn and were later diagnosed with liver or bile duct cancer, and if your doctor confirms that you are experiencing a Dicamba side effect, you may be able to file a Dicamba lawsuit.

Possible compensation claims

If you are eligible to file a Dicamba lawsuit, you can claim compensations for the following reasons.

• Medical expenses incurred with cancer and its treatment
• Estimated costs for future medical care related to cancer or hypothyroidism
• Lost wages
• Any loss in earnings due to the medical condition
• Compensation for physical and mental anguish
• A victim’s family’s loss of companionship or consortium
• Payment for the pain and suffering you’ve endured

What to know before filing a Dicamba lawsuit? 

The critical thing you need to be aware of is the medical records. It enables your lawyer to examine your complete medical information and reveals to him how Dicamba’s adverse effects have harmed you or a family member.

You may learn more about how to handle your Dicamba case from Medlegal360. Check our blogs to learn more about issues like the Dicamba lawsuit.

Dicamba and Glyphosate have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, and it’s essential to consider these factors before using the products around your home and family. Remember that utilizing natural weed killers is safer than using these dangerous chemicals.

Visit our Twitter, to get more insights:

1/5 What is Dicamba?
Dicamba is an herbicide, which is a crucial component in several weed killers.#dicambaclassactionlawsuit #dicambalawsuitsettlement #isdicambadangerous#medlegal360 pic.twitter.com/sOyAxlgHI3

— MedLegal360.com (@medlegal360) October 27, 2022