U.S. Forest Service, timber companies spraying record amounts of glyphosate in California
An investigation by the Center for Investigative Reporting has revealed that glyphosate is being sprayed in California forests at record levels by timber companies and the U.S. Forest Service. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, kills vegetation that competes with young trees. The weedkiller has been the subject of lawsuits alleging exposure caused cancer. Nate Halverson reports.
A recent investigation has uncovered that the U.S. Forest Service and timber companies in California are using glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, at record levels in forest areas. Glyphosate, which kills competing vegetation, has been linked to cancer lawsuits. The Trump administration recently proposed opening nearly 45 million acres of national forest to logging and roads, amid the investigation revealing the aggressive use of glyphosate by the Forest Service and timber firms for accelerated reforestation.
However, this practice has raised concerns over potential health risks, particularly for families living near the forests. The Forest Service claims glyphosate is safe, basing its decision on a 15-year-old study that critics argue relied on manipulated data from Monsanto, the original glyphosate manufacturer.
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