Glyphosate

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in herbicide products, including Bayer’s Roundup. Glyphosate herbicides are widely used for weed control in U.S. agricultural settings, schools, public areas and home gardens.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer defines glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” IARC analyzed data from more than 1,000 global studies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, however, maintains that glyphosate isn’t likely to pose a risk to humans when current product label guidelines are followed.

Reports of illness have raised concerns about its safety. Many people who received a cancer diagnosis after regular use of Roundup have filed lawsuits against manufacturer Bayer. Courts have grouped thousands of these individual lawsuits into ongoing multidistrict litigation. Earlier cases have resulted in verdicts that awarded plaintiffs hundreds of millions of dollars.

Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide that kills most plants with which it comes into contact. It’s widely used to control the growth of weeds in agriculture, forestry, home lawns, gardens and public spaces. It also has industrial areas.

Users typically spray glyphosate to apply it and the leaves of plants absorb it. From there, glyphosate travels to the plant’s roots, where it prevents the roots from absorbing nutrients the plant needs to grow.

Glyphosate also prevents plants from making certain proteins. The chemical blocks an enzyme pathway within the tissue of plants and some microorganisms, inhibiting growth.

Recent research, including a WHO study, shows an association between high level and prolonged glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2019, researchers at the University of Washington determined that high levels of use increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma 41%.

In 2023, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study that showed people who have had exposure to glyphosate have early indicators of cancer risk factors in their bloodstream. In March 2023, another study showed that children with high levels of glyphosate exposure have indicators of body-wide inflammation and may have an increased risk of disease as young adults.

Inhaling glyphosate can cause eye and throat irritation or asthma. Swallowing it can cause burns in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

People may regularly consume small amounts of glyphosate residue on certain foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found glyphosate residue on 59% of all tested samples of corn and soy. The amount of glyphosate was less than the EPA’s allowable levels and is generally considered safe.

Glyphosate changes properties within the soil, affecting the growth of microorganisms. In some cases it causes an increase in microorganisms that can be dangerous to humans or other animals. Glyphosate can remain in the soil for months, depending on factors such as climate and soil pH.

When glyphosate breaks down it contaminates soil and water with the equally toxic byproduct aminomethylphosphonic acid. Other components of glyphosate-containing herbicides, such as surfactants, can also have a negative environmental impact. Glyphosate is highly toxic to some water animals, particularly invertebrates.

Certain farming practices can help reduce glyphosate’s harm to the environment. People shouldn’t use glyphosate where the spray can drift and cover surrounding plants. It’s also important to contain runoff and never dispose of this chemical in or near water sources.

Glyphosate alternatives for weed control are available. Natural alternatives can come in spray formulations similar to Roundup. Others require manual application. Some people use multiple natural alternatives as part of a combined approach to weed control.

Natural alternatives to glyphosate-based herbicides can be effective but don’t kill the plant’s root. Many have limitations to their use as well, and are only effective under certain circumstances or through multiple applications. Generally, combining alternative approaches is the most effective way to replace glyphosate.