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46. (a) Monsanto Executive: Roundup Dermal Absorption Studies Could ‘Blow Roundup Risk Evaluations'
46. (b) "TNO Study" on Dermal Absorption Referenced in Email Correspondence
No: MONGLY03738295, MONGLY00888353
Date: 3/29/2002 — 4/2/2002
Description
These documents contains email correspondence (MONGLY03738295) between various
Monsanto personnel regarding a Monsanto (MONGLY00888353) study on the dermal absorption of the formulated
Roundup product as precipitated by the surfactant ("TNO Study"). Dr. Heydens expressed concerns with continuing
such studies: "My primary concern is with the glyphosate in terms of the potential for this work to blow
Roundup risk evaluations (getting a much higher dermal penetration than we've ever seen before." at *1.
Relevance
The documents are relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as they pertain to (and contradict) Monsanto's causation defense that Roundup has a low absorption rate.
The results of the TNO study show "in vitro dermal penetration of glyphosate [with surfactant] through rat
skin [to be] between 5 and 10%," but lower than 1.5% "in the absence of surfactants[.]" This scientific data
is particularly relevant since it relates to the effects of the formulated product, i.e. Roundup, versus
the effects of glyphosate alone. Since the EPA only examined glyphosate, and expressly excluded studies
that used the formulation—the substance Plaintiffs' actually used—this provides evidence from which a Trier
of Fact could conclude the EPA's analysis was limited. Importantly, this study was never turned over to the
EPA or European regulatory officials.
47. Monsanto Personnel: Further Study on Glyphosate Absorption ‘Not Likely to Help Us Meet the Project Objective'
No: MONGLY03737014
Date: 4/4/2002 — 4/5/2002
Description
This document contains email correspondence between various Monsanto personnel
wherein it is discussed that the Monsanto programs, including the TNO study (MONGLY00888353, challenged above),
evaluating the absorption of glyphosate and formulations (including surfactants) will be ceased "because
a further study was not likely to help us meet the project objective." at *2. Abandoning this scientific
inquiry, however, "[w]e are left behind with too many questions after all this." at *1.
Relevance
This document is relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as it is directly related to the ADME issue of biological plausibility and Monsanto's refusal to conduct
further studies when results from the TNO study demonstrated higher absorption of glyphosate based on the
presence of the formulated product. It also goes to the heart of this Court's Daubert inquiry, showing
that the lack of any scientific consensus is, in part, the product of Monsanto's malfeasance, not honest
scientific investigation.
48. Monsanto Executive Acknowledges Acute Toxicity in Glyphosate Study Caused Death of Test Animals
No: MONGLY06722561
Date: 8/8/2003 — 8/11/2003
Description
This document contains email correspondence between various Monsanto personnel
wherein Dr. William Heydens observes with respect to two Monsanto rat studies: "Regarding acute toxicity,
Terry, Donna and I reviewed mortality data from the inhalation database for IPA, NH4-, MEAand K-glyphoste
formalations. Based on the mortality data seen in those studies, it is not outside the realm of possibilities
that the 3 deaths were treatment — related." at *2.
Relevance
This document is relevant and reasonably likely to be used in litigation as it
contains an acknowledgment by Monsanto that glyphosate ADME—exposed through inhalation—has resulted in acute
toxicity and caused the death of the test animals. Such "treatment-related deaths" via inhalation are directly
relevant to the issue of whether it is biologically plausible for glyphosate to act as a human carcinogen.
49. Monsanto Europe Executive States Glyphosate Would be ‘Toxic by Inhalation' Based on Cited Study
No: MONGLY02335782, MONGLY02335784
Date: 8/13/2008 — 8/20/2008
Description
These documents contain email correspondence between various Monsanto personnel
wherein Richard Garnett discusses the issue of acute toxicity via inhalation. Mr. Garnett states that glyphosate
would be classified in the EU as "T Toxic; R23 Toxic by inhalation" based on a study he cites. at *1. The
attachment is Monsanto Study "An Acute Nose-Only Inhalation Toxicity Study in Rats with Mon 78623". This
study is one of the studies referenced by Dr. Heydens in the previous (MONGLY06722561) document to conclude
that "it is not outside the realm of possibilities that the 3 deaths were treatment-related." MONGLY0672256
at *2.
Relevance
The documents are relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as they are directly related to the issue of whether it is biologically plausible for glyphosate to act as
a human carcinogen by virtue of respirational toxicity.
50. (a) Monsanto Scientist: Due to Higher Rate of Glyphosate Absorption, Monsanto Cannot Justify Avoiding ‘Toxicity Testing with Similar Inert Ingredients'
50. (b) Further Concern Over Surfactant Absorption in the Gastrointestinal Tract
No: MONGLY06424476, MONGLY06409924
Date: 6/1/2004 — 7/9/2004, 3/5/2002
— 3/8/2002
Description
The first document (MONGLY06424476) contains email correspondence between various
Monsanto personnel regarding a 2002 Monsanto study which observed absorption of the surfactant (without glyphosate)
in the GI Tract. Dr. Charles Healy (Monsanto) reports that the results showed "Absorption was at least 56%
of dose at dosages of 1 and 10 mg/kg. Approximately 17-27% of the dose was eliminated in the urine
and approximately 31-36% of the dose was found in the bile." at *2. The second document (MONGLY06409924)
contains further discussion of this issue, stating that Monsanto's purpose for conducting the study, which
was "to see results which show no GI tract absorption of a surfactant in the tallow/ether amine groups."
MONGLY06409924 at *1. Indeed, Dr. Healy states in MONGLY06424476 that: "Basically what we demonstrated
was that the material is absorbed through the GI tract as shown. Nothing I am aware of that needs to be reported.
We were hoping that we could demonstrate that the material was not absorbed as a means to obviate the need
to perform toxicity testing with similar inert ingredients. Obviously that hope was not realized." at *2.
Relevance
These documents are relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as they pertain to the ADME issue of biological plausibility—indeed Dr. Healy concedes that given the higher
rate of absorption, Monsanto cannot justify avoiding "toxicity testing with similar inert ingredients." Given
that the rate of absorption is one of the features Monsanto relies upon to argue that there is no biological
plausibility for glyphosate and/or Roundup to be carcinogenic, these documents go to the heart of such defense
and are related to issues in general causation.
51. Monsanto Europe Executive: Company's Low Glyphosate Absorption Claim is Weak
No: MONGLY06385823
Date: 9/23/2009
Description
This document contains email correspondence between Monsanto personnel wherein
Richard Garnett acknowledges that: "The ADME has always been the weak link in our argument and the Spanish
response highlights that we have not got rid of the problem." at *1.
Relevance
This document is relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as it is a recognition by Monsanto that there are fundamental flaws in Monsanto's argument for absorption
and excretion of glyphosate—a fact observed by regulators in Spain in their assessment of glyphosate—which
is related to the issue of whether it is biologically plausible for glyphosate to act as a human carcinogen.
This document relates specifically to Monsanto's contention that glyphosate does not cause cancer because
of low absorption rates.
52. (a) Monsanto Aware of Dermal Penetration Studies Showing Formulated Roundup is Absorbed at Higher Rate and is More Toxic
52. (b) Monsanto Scientist Acknowledges Humectant in Most Roundup Formulations is Toxic to Children
52. (c) Monsanto Fact Sheet on Ethylene Glycol: Humectant Found in Most Roundup Formulations is Listed on California Prop 65 List of Reproductive Toxicants
No: MONGLY06653096, MONGLY01832749, MONGLY01745304
Date: 5/20/2003
— 5/22/2003, 10/19/1999 -10/21/1999
Description
The first document (MONGLY06653096) contains email correspondence between various
Monsanto personnel regarding "dermal penetration studies" wherein Dr. William Heydens notes the presence
of "certain co-formulants like humectants that will make it highly likely we will get large amounts penetrating
the skin." at *1. The second document (MONGLY01832749) contains acknowledgments by Dr. Daniel Goldstein that
a humectant such as ethylene glycol (which is present in most Roundup formulations) is toxic to children
at 70 cc of Roundup with 5% of ethylene glycol. at *1. The Third document (MONGLY01745304) is a fact sheet
about ethylene glycol which indicates its presence in Roundup formulations ("less than 2%") and that "EG
is a significant human toxin". at *1.
Relevance
These documents are relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as they are related to the issue of ADME absorption and that the formulated product is both absorbed at a
higher rate and is more toxic—significant questions for the biological plausibility of glyphosate and Roundup
as a carcinogen. Such information is likely to be considered vital by regulators and researchers when
assessing the carcinogenicity of Roundup and glyphosate.
53. Monsanto Europe Executive Acknowledges Roundup Would Fail Absorption Testing Using UK Metric
No: MONGLY04107778
Date: 8/16/2011 — 8/23/2011
Description
This document contains email correspondence between Maurice De Billot (Monsanto)
and Christophe Gustin, wherein Mr. De Billot discusses the difficulties of dermal absorption using the UK
POEM (The UK Predictive Operator Exposure Model) metric: "In Europe we are getting prepared to submit MON
79991 (720g/kg) for approval under the new Reg 1107/2009. We ran the UKPOEM model using a dermal penetration
value of 3% and do not pass when applying 3.6kg/ha for the tractor mounted sprayer. I am aware of the set
of studies that you ran on dermal absorption using pure K-salt and IPA-salt and also MON 52276 and MON 79351
which showed dermal absorption values of 1%. Putting 1% in the model we get a good result, so will need to
show that the 1% dermal absorption numbers are equally valid for the MON 79991 formulation." at *2.
Relevance
This document is relevant and reasonably likely to be used in litigation as it
demonstrates that a difference of a couple of percentage points on dermal absorption using the UK POEM can
change the regulatory risk assessment of glyphosate from safe to unsafe. A key element of Monsanto's defense
on causation is that even if glyphosate could conceivably cause cancer it would require extremely high doses
which do not occur in a realistic environment.
54. Email Details Operator Exposure Level When Spraying Roundup Under UK Conditions
No: MONGLY06509236
Date: 10/21/2002
Description
This document is an internal Monsanto summary of the "operator exposure when
spraying Roundup under UK conditions." at *1. It provides an explanation of measuring the rate of Roundup
absorption using the UK POEM (discussed in the above MONGLY04107778 document).
Relevance
This document is relevant and reasonably likely to be used in this litigation
as it pertains to the absorption of glyphosate and Monsanto's basis for measuring the rate of absorption
to be in compliance with regulatory standards—a feature of general causation as Monsanto contests that Roundup
and glyphosate can have adverse effects based upon negligible rates of absorption.
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