A new study from NYU indicates a potential link between glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, and premature births. Researchers found that pregnant women with detectable levels of glyphosate in their urine around the 18-25 week mark of gestation were 37% more likely to deliver their babies at least three weeks early.
The study, which focused on the chemical's presence during mid-pregnancy, also revealed a twofold increase in the likelihood of spontaneous preterm births among those exposed. Spontaneous preterm births can occur due to unknown causes, but infection or inflammation are suspected factors. Notably, glyphosate detected earlier in pregnancy, before 18 weeks, did not show a similar association with preterm birth. Additionally, AMPA, a breakdown product of glyphosate found in soil microbes, did not demonstrate a link to preterm birth when detected in urine at any stage of pregnancy.
Preterm birth is a significant contributor to infant illness and mortality. Infants born prematurely often require immediate intensive care and may face long-term developmental and learning challenges.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in herbicides like Bayer's Roundup, is the most extensively used herbicide globally. It is commonly found on crops genetically engineered to resist it, such as soy, corn, and cotton, which have been prevalent since the 1990s. This widespread agricultural practice has led to the chemical's presence in the food supply, water, and soil, with over 80% of Americans over age six showing detectable levels in their systems.
The Make America Healthy Again movement, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has long opposed glyphosate due to concerns about its potential carcinogenicity. Bayer has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits linking the chemical to non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and has proposed a $7.25 billion settlement. Researchers theorize that glyphosate may affect pregnant women by disrupting the endocrine system, causing oxidative stress, or triggering inflammation.
In February, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at increasing the domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate, citing their importance for national defense and food security. Phosphorus is a key component in glyphosate manufacturing and is also used in military applications and semiconductor production. Kennedy publicly supported this executive order, emphasizing the need to reduce reliance on foreign sources for agricultural chemicals.