23 Mar 2015
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized agency of the World Health Organization focused on cancer, recently assessed the carcinogenicity of five organophosphate pesticides. Glyphosate (commonly known as Roundup), malathion, and diazinon were classified as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Tetrachlorvinphos and parathion were classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Glyphosate and malathion are both common pesticides currently in use worldwide.
More information on IARC’s classification of these pesticides can be found in the following resources: IARC press release: IARC Monographs Volume 112: evaluation of five organophosphate insecticides and herbicides Lancet Oncology summary: Carcinogenicity of tetrachlorvinphos, parathion, malathion, diazinon, and glyphosate
Summaries of OCRC’s research projects on pesticides and cancer can be found here: Cross-Canada study of pesticides and select cancers North American Pooled Project: pesticides, agricultural exposures, and cancer
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