Nine out of 10 people tested in Malta had traces of the weed killer glyphosate in their urine, the highest rate in Europe.
The testing was conducted by Friends of the Earth Malta as part of a wider exercise carried out by Friends of the Earth groups in 18 European countries.
Ten people were tested in each country. Across 18 countries, the average percentage of people who tested positive for traces of glyphosate was 45 per cent.
Friends of the Earth Malta’s Martin Galea De Giovanni acknowledged that a more in-depth study was needed to determine the prevalence of the weed killer in humans across the continent, adding that the preliminary tests raised the flag on the issue.
“This was a test, not a full blown scientific study. Its main aim was to test whether this herbicide has made it into our bodies. The result is a yes,” he said.
“What’s even more worrying is that the Maltese sample of positives was higher than anywhere else.
“These results suggest that we are being exposed to glyphosate in our everyday lives.
“Yet, we don’t know where it is coming from, how widespread it is in the environment or what it is doing to our bodies,” he added.
Environmental groups are concerned that the effects of glyphosate on human health are not fully understood and the process of determining safe levels for humans is susceptible to industry lobbying.
Friends of the Earth Malta called on the Government to immediately step up its monitoring of herbicides to make sure the public is not being put at risk.
All of the volunteers who gave samples lived in urban areas and none had handled or used glyphosate products in the run up to the tests. No two samples were collected from the same household.
The volunteers came from different localities and a questionnaire ensured that gardeners and farmers were not included.
This was the first time monitoring has been carried out across Europe to determine the presence of the weed killer in humans.
Samples from all 18 countries were sent to a laboratory in Germany to be analysed by Hans-Wolfgang Hoppe.
Dr Hoppe concluded that “diet seems to be the main source of exposure” but more scientific work was needed to distinguish between different exposure situations.
John Portelli, of the Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, pointed out the island had several incentives to discourage the use of herbicides on crops and fodders “but many farmers do not understand the reasons behind it”.
“I never heard of any inspections to determine compliance by farmers on herbicide use,” he added.
Mr Portelli pointed out that some local councils hired people to walk around the streets in urban areas spraying weeds with herbicides.
Glyphosate is the most widely used weed killer in Europe. It is commonly used by farmers to clear weeds from fields before planting or before seeds have germinated.
It is sprayed on some genetically modified crops imported into Europe for use as animal feed.
The biggest producer is Monsanto, which sells it under the brand name Roundup.
Fourteen glyphosate-resistant, genetically modified crops are currently awaiting approval by the EU.
Herbicides in Malta are regulated by the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.
The Health Information and Research Directorate said it had “been alerted to the study for any action deemed necessary”.
What is glyphosate?
A broad-spectrum herbicide that was first marketed by Monsanto under the name Roundup in the 1970s.
Numerous companies now produce glyphosate under different trade names.
Twenty years after the herbicide came onto the market, Monsanto developed genetically engineered plants (Roundup ready plants) that are resistant to glyphosate and, therefore, allow a wider application of the herbicide.
Source: Greenpeace
Is it safe for humans?
According to Monsanto, the acceptable daily intake is “quite favourable” and “no impact on human health is to be expected for the consumer of food treated with glyphosate according to good agricultural practices”.
However, opponents claim industry studies are biased and outdated.
Laboratory and epidemiological studies in Argentina have suggested the herbicide poses serious health hazards, including endocrine (hormone) disruption, DNA damage, cancer, birth defects and neurological disorders.
Sources: ec.europa.eu
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