The analysis was conducted by Friends of the Earth, which carried out studies in 18 European cities.
The results raise serious concerns about the increase in the levels of exposition to glyphosate-based pesticides, very commonly used by growers, public authorities and gardeners all over Europe. If more genetically-modified crops are approved in Europe, then the levels of glyphosate would increase even more.
Despite its frequent use, there is currently very little control on the presence of glyphosate in food, water and the environment in general. This is the first time that a study regarding the pesticide's presence in the human body is conducted in Europe.
Friends of the Earth Europe arranged the laboratory tests to analyse urine samples of voluntary contributors from 18 European countries, finding that, on average, 44% of the samples contained glyphosate. The proportion of glyphosate-positives varied depending on the country, with Malta, Germany, the UK and Poland being the ones with the most positive results and Macedonia and Switzerland with the lowest.
Every urine sample contributor lived in cities and none of them had handled or used any products containing glyphosate during the period prior to the analyses, which were conducted between March and May 2013.
Source: Diariodelagro.cl