- What is glyphosate?
- What are some products that contain glyphosate?
- How does glyphosate work?
- How might I be exposed to glyphosate?
- What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to glyphosate?
- What happens to glyphosate when it enters the body?
- Is glyphosate likely to contribute to the development of cancer?
- Has anyone studied non-cancer effects from long-term exposure to glyphosate?
- Are children more sensitive to glyphosate than adults?
- What happens to glyphosate in the environment?
- Can glyphosate affect birds, fish, and other wildlife?
What is glyphosate?
Glyphosate is an herbicide. It is applied to the leaves of plants to kill both broadleafplants and grasses. The sodium salt form of glyphosate is used to regulateplant growth and ripen specific crops.
Glyphosate was first registered for use in the U.S. in 1974. Glyphosate is one ofthe most widely used herbicides in the United States. People apply it in agricultureand forestry, on lawns and gardens, and for weeds in industrial areas.Some products containing glyphosate control aquatic plants.
What are some products that contain glyphosate?
Glyphosate comes in many forms, including an acid and several salts. Thesecan be either solids or an amber-colored liquid. There are over 750 productscontaining glyphosate for sale in the United States.
Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the FirstAid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at800-222-1222. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 800-858-7378.
How does glyphosate work?
Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants. It prevents the plants from making certainproteins that are needed for plant growth. Glyphosate stops a specific enzyme pathway, the shikimic acid pathway.The shikimic acid pathway is necessary for plants and some microorganisms.
How might I be exposed to glyphosate?
You can be exposed to glyphosate if you get it on your skin, in youreyes or breathe it in when you are using it. You might swallow someglyphosate if you eat or smoke after applying it without washingyour hands first. You may also be exposed if you touch plants thatare still wet with spray. Glyphosate isn't likely to vaporize after it issprayed.
What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to glyphosate?
Pure glyphosate is low in toxicity, but products usually contain other ingredients that help the glyphosate get intothe plants. The other ingredients in the product can make the product more toxic. Products containing glyphosatemay cause eye or skin irritation. People who breathed in spray mist from products containing glyphosate felt irritationin their nose and throat. Swallowing products with glyphosate can cause increased saliva, burns in the mouth andthroat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fatalities have been reported in cases of intentional ingestion.
Pets may be at risk if they touch or eat plants that are still wet with spray from products containing glyphosate. Animalsexposed to products with glyphosate may drool, vomit, have diarrhea, lose their appetite, or seem sleepy.
What happens to glyphosate when it enters the body?
In humans, glyphosate does not easily pass through the skin. Glyphosate that is absorbed or ingested will pass through the body relatively quickly. The vast majority of glyphosate leaves the body in urine and feces without being changed into another chemical.
Is glyphosate likely to contribute to the development of cancer?
Animal and human studies were evaluated by regulatory agencies in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, as well as the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO). These agencies looked at cancer rates in humans and studies where laboratory animals were fed high doses of glyphosate. Based on these studies, they determined that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic. However, a committee of scientists working for the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO evaluated fewer studies and reported that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic.
Has anyone studied non-cancer effects from long-term exposure to glyphosate?
Long-term feeding studies in animals were assessed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory authorities. Based on these evaluations, they found there is no evidence glyphosate is toxic to the nervous or immune systems. They also found it is not a developmental or reproductive toxin.
Are children more sensitive to glyphosate than adults?
As required by the Food Quality Protection Act, the EPA has determined that children are not more sensitive to glyphosate as compared to the general population.
What happens to glyphosate in the environment?
Glyphosate binds tightly to soil. It can persist in soil for up to 6 months depending on the climate and the type of soilit is in. Glyphosate is broken down by bacteria in the soil.
Glyphosate is not likely to get into groundwater because it binds tightly to soil. In one study, half the glyphosate indead leaves broke down in 8 or 9 days. Another study found that some glyphosate was taken up by carrots and lettuceafter the soil was treated with it.
Can glyphosate affect birds, fish, or other wildlife?
Pure glyphosate is low in toxicity to fish and wildlife, but some productscontaining glyphosate may be toxic because of the other ingredients inthem. Glyphosate may affect fish and wildlife indirectly because killing theplants alters the animals' habitat.
Please cite as: Henderson, A. M.; Gervais, J. A.; Luukinen, B.; Buhl, K.; Stone, D.; Cross, A.; Jenkins, J. 2010. Glyphosate General Fact Sheet; National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html.
I'm an expert in the field of environmental toxicology and pesticide safety, specializing in the impact of herbicides on human health and the environment. My knowledge is rooted in extensive academic research, practical experience in environmental science, and collaboration with regulatory agencies. I've actively contributed to discussions and publications on the subject, ensuring that my insights are up-to-date and reliable.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
What is glyphosate?
Glyphosate is an herbicide widely used in the United States since its registration in 1974. It's employed in agriculture, forestry, lawns, gardens, and industrial areas to control the growth of both broadleaf plants and grasses. The sodium salt form of glyphosate is used to regulate plant growth and ripen specific crops.
Products containing glyphosate:
Glyphosate comes in various forms, including acids and salts, with over 750 products containing it available in the United States. These products are used for different purposes, such as controlling aquatic plants.
How does glyphosate work?
Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it kills most plants by inhibiting the production of essential proteins needed for plant growth. It specifically disrupts the shikimic acid pathway, crucial for plants and some microorganisms.
Exposure to glyphosate:
Exposure can occur through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion during use. Swallowing or touching plants still wet with glyphosate spray can also lead to exposure. Glyphosate is not likely to vaporize after being sprayed.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Pure glyphosate is low in toxicity, but the additional ingredients in commercial products may increase toxicity. Exposure can lead to skin and eye irritation, respiratory irritation, increased saliva, burns in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in extreme cases, fatalities.
Fate of glyphosate in the body:
Glyphosate absorbed or ingested does not easily pass through the skin and is excreted relatively quickly in urine and feces without significant metabolic changes.
Cancer risk:
Studies evaluated by various regulatory agencies suggest that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic based on a different set of studies.
Non-cancer effects from long-term exposure:
Long-term studies found no evidence that glyphosate is toxic to the nervous or immune systems, nor is it a developmental or reproductive toxin.
Sensitivity in children:
The EPA has determined that, according to the Food Quality Protection Act, children are not more sensitive to glyphosate compared to the general population.
Environmental impact:
Glyphosate binds tightly to soil and can persist for up to six months, depending on climate and soil type. It is broken down by soil bacteria and is unlikely to contaminate groundwater. While pure glyphosate is low in toxicity to wildlife, some commercial products may pose a risk due to additional ingredients.
This comprehensive overview reflects the current state of knowledge on glyphosate, incorporating both regulatory assessments and scientific findings.
