There are certain chemicals that can increase a person’s risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Exposure to these substances may be linked to an increase in the risk of NHL, depending on the amount and length of exposure.
If you or a close relative developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you will want to talk to a Colorado toxic torts attorney to explore whether the medical condition is the result of exposure to hazardous substances. You might be able to seek financial compensation for the harm caused and your losses.
Chemical Exposure and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
The American Cancer Society reports that some chemical substances like herbicides (weed killers), pesticides (insect killers), and benzene could have a link to an increased likelihood of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
BMC Medicine evaluated records from the California Cancer Registry of patients with NHL who also had exposure to agricultural pesticides. This study says that there are specific pesticides associated with NHL, including glyphosate, organophosphorus, carbamate, phenoxyherbicide, and 2,4-dimethylamine salt. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that three commonly used agricultural organophosphates were carcinogens and have a link to an increased likelihood of NHL. These chemicals are glyphosate, malathion, and diazinon.
RoundUp Litigation
Bayer/Monsanto, the company that makes RoundUp, a weedkiller containing glyphosate, is the subject of numerous lawsuits from people who developed NHL after years of using RoundUp. Many of these cases have settled, with Bayer/Monsanto paying around $11 billion to the plaintiffs. About 80 percent of the cases are now resolved, and the trials are going on for many of the cases that have not reached a settlement.
The plaintiffs allege that glyphosate is a carcinogen, causing three types of cancer – leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and B-cell lymphoma (also called mantle cell lymphoma or MCL). Because glyphosate is used widely in the agricultural industry, farmers are at high risk of developing NHL.
Monsanto has sold RoundUp for commercial and residential use for years, so people working as landscapers and groundskeepers might have exposure to this toxic chemical. Also, working in your own garden or yard could put you at risk of developing NHL or another form of cancer if you have used RoundUp for week control.
Chemotherapy Drugs and a Possible Link to NHL
A person who undergoes chemotherapy might have an increased risk of developing NHL years later, depending on the type of chemotherapy drugs used, according to the American Cancer Society.
Prescription Drugs and NHL
There are conflicting studies on whether some prescription drugs, like methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis might increase the likelihood of developing NHL.
Radiation Exposure and Risk of NHL
There is a clear link between radiation exposure and an increased risk of NHL, more so from exposure to nuclear reactor accidents and atomic bombs, but also from radiation therapy for some cancers. A Colorado toxic torts attorney could answer your questions about toxic chemicals that could increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma and help you fight for justice if you or a family member got harmed by dangerous chemical substances. Get in touch with our office today to schedule a free consultation.