The World Health Organization’s (WHO) research agency has made startling revelations about the popular herbicide glyphosate, saying it can cause cancer in humans.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), French-based cancer research department at the WHO, on Friday said that its latest study has found the popular weed carcinogenic in nature for the human.

For the study, the researchers followed five herbicides and insecticides in order to test their carcinogenicity.

The study analysis showed glyphosate probably carrying carcinogenic substance in it. The globally known herbicide is majorly found in weed killers like Roundup.

Following the study, the researchers classified glyphosate and four other insecticides, including tetrachlorvinphos, malathion, diazinon and parathion, under the category of possibly carcinogenic to humans.

“Glyphosate, though, currently has the highest global production volume of all herbicides, its use in agricultural purposes has increased sharply since the development of genetically modified crops that resistant to it,” IARC said in a press release.

“Glyphosate is also used in forestry, urban and home applications. It has been detected in the air during spraying, in water as well as in food. The general population is exposed primarily through residence near sprayed areas, diet, home use, and the level that has been observed is generally low,” as per the news release.

The use of Parathion is no more authorized in the US and the European Union. On the other hand, the European Union has banned use of Tetrachlorvinphos, but it is still used for livestock and domestic animals.

Both Malathion and Diazinon are used for controlling residential insect as well as in agriculture.

This year, the US Environmental Protection Agency will carry fresh review of the guidelines for the use of glyphosate.