Ban the Use of Glyphosate in Middletown Maryland Public Parks

A letter to the Middletown Town Administrator;

I am writing to raise my concerns about the use of glyphosate (aka RoundUp) in the Middletown Parks. Your office does a wonderful job of keeping the parks maintained throughout the year, but I’ve noted the use of glyphosate herbicide to control weeds, especially around flower beds and play grounds.
I’m not sure if you’re aware of the history of glyphosate, but in any event I’d like to provide a brief synopsis. Glyphosate (the herbicide used in Roundup®) began life as a patented descaling agent for boilers, binding to minerals and helping to remove them from internal boiler surfaces. During the boiler cleaning process, it was noted that discarded waste water killed plant life in the dumping area. As a result, glyphosate was patented a second time as an herbicide. Researchers later found that glyphosate killed plants by disrupting the production of a necessary enzyme. This disruption, while not possible in “human” cells, is possible in bacteria contained in the human biome, and more specifically in bacteria in the gut. This discovery of bacterial disruption and destruction led to another patent for use of glyphosate as an antibiotic. While patented for three uses, glyphosate has primarily been the driver in the development of genetically engineered crops due to its effectiveness as an herbicide. Nearly all genetically engineered crops are glyphosate resistant, allowing them to be doused with the substance without being directly impacted. This allows for “chemically” weeding crop fields to allow for simpler harvesting. This approach to farming has led to an enormous increase in glyphosate usage, especially in areas like Middletown where agriculture is so prevalent.
As glyphosate usage has increased, concerns with respect to human health have arisen. Studies have linked glyphosate exposure to liver and kidney dysfunction, shortened lifespan, inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease, chronic diarrhea, colitis, digestive issues, obesity, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, Parkinson’s disease, leaky gut syndrome, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, violent impulsive behavior, suicide, infertility, preeclampsia, late-pregnancy spontaneous abortion, multiple myeloma, cardiovascular disease, cachexia, hormone disruption, and ALS. Many of these issues are the result of disruption of the biome of bacteria in the gut, changing its balance and affecting both digestion and absorption of nutrients as well as production of substances by the digestive flora. Many neurological chemicals, including serotonin, are produced primarily by bacteria in the digestive system. In fact, there are 10 times more bacterial cells in the digestive system than there are “human” cells in the entire body. Disruption of this system has far reaching and ranging implications, as noted in the many issues listed above.
Furthermore, in June of this year (2016), the EU declined to grant Monsanto, the glyphosate patent holder, a license due to concern raised by a World Health Organization (WHO) report classifying glyphosate as a "probable carcinogen." Please take a moment to let that sink in. Glyphosate, which is being sprayed where children and dogs typically play here in Middletown, is banned in England, France, Germany, and the rest of the EU. You would almost certainly be arrested for applying it as is being done here in Middletown. The point being, which country or group of countries is following the time honored rule of “better safe than sorry”, the EU or the US?
In closing, I’m asking with all due respect that you reconsider the Middletown approach to weed control, especially with respect to glyphosate. Are the lives and well-being of the citizens of Middletown more important than the bottom line? I know that’s a loaded question, but I want you to truly understand the gravity of your decision. Wouldn’t you rather know and consider this now, than when it’s too late?
Thank you for your time, and your consideration.