A new study on glyphosate in pregnant women from Indiana confirms that this widely used herbicide ends up in people’s bodies. The findings also suggest that prenatal glyphosate exposure may be linked to shorter pregnancies.

Glyphosate is the most-used herbicide in the world. It’s the primary active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicide formulations used with genetically engineered (GE) crops.

Women in rural areas have more

Researchers collected both residential drinking water and urine samples from 71 pregnant women in Central Indiana. Data were also collected about food and water consumption, stress and place of residence. Urinary glyphosate levels were then correlated with fetal growth indicators and length of pregnancy.

Higher urinary glyphosate levels in this study were found in women residing in rural areas. Based on previous studies, the most likely source of glyphosate exposure was via diet. It’s also possible that among the women from rural areas, inhalation of contaminated air or dust from nearby fields may have exposed them to glyphosate.

The other subset of women who had higher glyphosate […]