Many common materials have entered the consumer market over the centuries only to be withdrawn when they were shown to cause illness. Things like radium, asbestos, benzene, and lead used to be in many household items until the companies making consumer products were forced to stop using these materials by the government or public outcry. Glyphosate, the main ingredient in popular weed killers like Roundup, has been known to be possibly carcinogenic since at least the 80s.
Despite this, there have never been exposure warnings placed on the bottles sold to consumers across the world. With new studies emerging and rising rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, survivors and the lawyers representing them bring Monsanto to court over their repeated manipulations of the scientific data that kept warnings about the health risks of the dangerous chemical from reaching consumers. Worse, glyphosate is still used worldwide as an integral pesticide and desiccant during harvesting, meaning every major cereal crop is potentially contaminated with carcinogens.
Into The Weeds has only one flaw, a minor identity crisis: The film wants to be both a hard-hitting exposé and a pop documentary, but it has some trouble blending the two styles. This minor critique aside, Into The Weeds is an excellent examination of the issues with corporate oversight in America and the effects this has on both individuals and the environment we all share. Lawyers, farmers, scientists, ecologists, and a few victims of the cancer glyphosate can share their experiences and research.
Dewayne “Lee” Johnson is a constant fixture of the documentary, showing us how the cancer spreads across his skin, causing painful growths and infections without expensive radiation treatment. Despite working with the chemical for years and even trying to contact Monsanto dozens of times about how his work could have led to his illness, the company refused contact and still tries to deny the carcinogenic nature of glyphosate, even after being purchased by Bayer in 2018. This documentary combines a riveting mix of personal accounts, scientific data, and court drama, making it a must-buy for any well-trafficked environmental documentary collection in academic or public libraries. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public and academic library shelves?
- Environmental Studies/Environmental Science: The film explores environmental issues related to corporate oversight, pesticide use, and the effects of glyphosate on health and ecosystems. It is suitable for collections focusing on environmental risks and corporate accountability.
- Public Health/Medicine: The educational documentary addresses the health impacts of glyphosate and its potential carcinogenicity, making it relevant for libraries that focus on public health, medical studies, and related legal cases.
- Law and Legal Studies: Given the documentary's focus on court cases and the legal battles against Monsanto, it fits well within a collection that examines corporate responsibility and legal proceedings involving health and environmental issues.