Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewed

Exposure to glyphosate and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: meta-analysis and supporting evidence

Zhang, L. et al.

Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research · 2019

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Summary

This 2019 meta-analysis in Mutation Research synthesises epidemiological evidence to quantify the association between occupational and environmental glyphosate exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk. The analysis reportedly found approximately 41% increased NHL risk in the highest-exposure groups compared with unexposed individuals, though confidence intervals and heterogeneity warrant caution in interpretation. The authors integrated supporting mechanistic data on genotoxicity and oxidative stress to strengthen the biological plausibility of the observed association.

Regional applicability

The findings are internationally applicable but particularly relevant to United Kingdom agricultural and food safety policy, given glyphosate's widespread use in UK farming (especially in cereal production) and ongoing regulatory scrutiny. Transferability depends on whether UK exposure profiles and agricultural practices align with the populations synthesised in the meta-analysis.

Key measures

Relative risk or odds ratio estimates for NHL in highest versus unexposed glyphosate exposure groups; confidence intervals; study heterogeneity metrics; mechanistic markers including genotoxicity and oxidative stress biomarkers

Outcomes reported

The study quantified the epidemiological association between glyphosate herbicide exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk through meta-analysis of multiple observational studies. Supporting mechanistic evidence on genotoxicity and oxidative stress pathways was reviewed to contextualise the epidemiological findings.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Pesticides, contaminants & food safety
Study type
Meta-analysis
Study design
Meta-analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.mrrev.2019.02.001
Catalogue ID
XL0674

Topic tags

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