- 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 am an expert in environmental toxicology and pesticide regulation, with a deep understanding of the herbicide glyphosate. My expertise is built on a comprehensive knowledge of scientific literature, regulatory evaluations, and practical applications of glyphosate in various settings. I have been actively involved in reviewing studies conducted by regulatory agencies and academic institutions, allowing me to provide reliable and evidence-based information on the topic.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is an herbicide used to control the growth of both broadleaf plants and grasses. It inhibits the production of certain proteins essential for plant growth, particularly through the shikimic acid pathway.
Products Containing Glyphosate:
Glyphosate is available in various forms, including acids and salts, in over 750 products in the United States. These products are used in agriculture, forestry, lawns, gardens, and industrial areas.
How Glyphosate Works:
Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that interferes with the shikimic acid pathway, crucial for plant growth. It prevents the synthesis of necessary proteins, leading to the death of treated plants.
Exposure to Glyphosate:
Exposure can occur through skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, or touching wet plants. Glyphosate does not easily vaporize after application.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure:
Pure glyphosate has low toxicity, but product formulations may contain other ingredients that enhance toxicity. Exposure can cause eye or skin irritation, respiratory irritation, and ingestion-related symptoms such as increased saliva, burns, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Entry and Exit from the Body:
Glyphosate absorbed or ingested passes through the body relatively quickly. The majority leaves through urine and feces without undergoing significant chemical changes.
Cancer Risk:
Regulatory agencies in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, along with the WHO, have assessed studies on glyphosate's carcinogenicity. While most agencies concluded it is not likely to be carcinogenic, the WHO reported it as "probably carcinogenic."
Non-Cancer Effects:
Long-term studies by regulatory authorities, including the EPA, 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, under the Food Quality Protection Act, determined that children are not more sensitive to glyphosate compared to the general population.
Environmental Impact:
Glyphosate binds tightly to soil, potentially persisting for up to six months. It is broken down by soil bacteria and is unlikely to contaminate groundwater. However, its impact on plants indirectly affects the habitat of birds, fish, and wildlife.
Wildlife Toxicity:
Pure glyphosate is low in toxicity to fish and wildlife, but some product formulations may pose risks due to other ingredients. Killing plants with glyphosate can indirectly affect wildlife by altering their habitat.
For further details, you can refer to the National Pesticide Information Center's Glyphosate General Fact Sheet cited in the article.
