Sylvie Willis
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls weeds and grasses that compete with crops. It is a synthetic chemical, and in its pure form, consists of five elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. The production of phosphorus is energy-intensive and limited, as it is mostly extracted from rocks through mining, which generates a lot of CO2 emissions and causes environmental damage. While glyphosate has been approved by regulatory bodies worldwide, there are ongoing concerns and debates about its effects on human health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Glyphosate is a synthetic chemical and a widely used herbicide that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses. |
| Chemical Composition | Glyphosate consists of five elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. |
| Fossil Fuel Connection | The first four elements (C, H, N, and O) are currently derived from fossil raw materials and energy, but they can also be produced sustainably using renewable electricity. |
| Environmental Impact | Glyphosate has raised concerns due to its environmental impact as the most used herbicide worldwide. Its production involves high CO2 emissions and environmental damage from mining phosphorus. |
| Human Health Impact | There are conflicting findings regarding glyphosate's impact on human health. Some studies suggest it is probably carcinogenic, while others conclude it is not likely to be carcinogenic or a risk to human health when used as directed. |
| Regulatory Status | Glyphosate has been registered as a pesticide in the US since 1974 and is subject to periodic safety reviews by the EPA. There have been legal challenges regarding its human health and ecological risk assessments. |
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What You'll Learn
Glyphosate's composition
Glyphosate, also known by its IUPAC name N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, is a phosphonate and an organophosphorus compound. It is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant that was first synthesized in 1950 by Swiss chemist Henry Martin. Glyphosate acts by inhibiting the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP), which is involved in the synthesis of three aromatic amino acids: tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. This inhibition prevents plants from producing certain proteins necessary for growth.
Glyphosate is typically applied to the leaves of plants, where it is absorbed and translocated to growing points. It is non-selective and will kill most plants, including broadleaf plants and grasses. The sodium salt form of glyphosate is used to regulate plant growth and ripen specific crops. Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are used for weed control in agriculture, forestry, lawns, gardens, and industrial areas. It is also used to control aquatic plants.
Glyphosate comes in various forms, including an acid and several salts, which can be solids or an amber-colored liquid. Glyphosate-based products often contain other ingredients, such as surfactants, that enhance their effectiveness. These surfactants, such as polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA), increase the coverage and aid the penetration of the herbicide through plant leaves. However, POEA is more toxic to aquatic life, including fish and amphibians, than glyphosate alone.
The production of glyphosate is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with each kilogram of glyphosate product resulting in 31.29 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). The energy used to produce the amount of glyphosate consumed globally in 2014 was equivalent to the energy needed to fuel about 6.25 million cars for a year.
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Its use as a herbicide
Glyphosate is a non-selective, broad-spectrum herbicide, meaning it will kill most plants. It is a synthetic chemical, and in its pure form, it consists of five elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. Glyphosate was first brought to market in 1974 by Monsanto under the Roundup brand name. It is absorbed through foliage and, to a lesser extent, through roots, and then translocated to growing points. It is effective only on actively growing plants and is not effective as a pre-emergence herbicide. Glyphosate works by inhibiting the plant enzyme EPSP synthase, which is involved in the synthesis of three aromatic amino acids: tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. This prevents plants from making certain proteins that are necessary for their growth.
Glyphosate is widely used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops. Its use has been controversial due to concerns about its effects on humans and the environment. Regulatory bodies worldwide have approved glyphosate and its formulations, such as Roundup, for use. However, there have been concerns about their potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. The consensus among national pesticide regulatory agencies and scientific organizations is that labelled uses of glyphosate have shown no evidence of human carcinogenicity. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic in humans" in 2015, but other organizations, such as the European Food Safety Authority, have concluded that it is unlikely to be genotoxic or pose a carcinogenic threat to humans.
In terms of environmental impact, glyphosate has a relatively short half-life in soil and water, averaging about 30 days in temperate climates, due to microbial degradation. It binds tightly to soil components and is not likely to get into groundwater. Glyphosate-resistant crops have facilitated reduced-tillage agriculture, which has helped reduce soil loss, soil compaction, carbon dioxide emissions, and fossil fuel use. However, there are still concerns about potential ecological risks, particularly to non-target plants through spray drift.
Overall, glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that has been the subject of ongoing debates and studies regarding its potential impacts on human health and the environment. While some organizations have raised concerns about its carcinogenicity and ecological risks, others have concluded that it is safe when used according to label instructions.
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Glyphosate's environmental impact
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses. It has been registered as a pesticide in the US since 1974. Glyphosate is a synthetic chemical that consists of five elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. The production of phosphorus, which is essential for glyphosate, has significant environmental impacts.
Firstly, the extraction of phosphorus, usually from rocks, generates a large amount of CO2. This leads to high carbon emissions. Secondly, the mining of phosphorus in open pits causes environmental damage to the mining areas and contributes to water pollution. The known phosphate reserves are estimated to last between 80 and 300 years. However, unlike other fossil fuels such as coal and oil, phosphorus cannot be replaced by alternative energy sources. It is indispensable as a plant nutrient, an ingredient in animal feed, and a critical element for humans, particularly in bone health.
The environmental impact of glyphosate itself has also been a subject of study and debate. Glyphosate is absorbed through foliage and minimally through roots, and it inhibits the EPSP synthase enzyme, which is involved in the synthesis of certain amino acids. While glyphosate has been approved by regulatory bodies worldwide, concerns about its effects on the environment and human health have been raised. The potential carcinogenicity of glyphosate has been a topic of discussion, with some studies suggesting it is likely carcinogenic, while others conclude that it is not.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted various studies and concluded that glyphosate does not pose risks to human health when used as directed. However, exposure to glyphosate through the skin, eyes, or inhalation can cause irritation and potential health issues. It is important to follow label instructions and take steps to minimize exposure.
Overall, while glyphosate is an effective herbicide, its environmental impact, particularly the production of phosphorus, and potential health effects are important considerations for its continued use and regulation.
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Its effects on human health
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It is an organophosphorus compound, specifically a phosphonate, which acts by inhibiting the plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP). Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops. Monsanto brought it to market for agricultural use in 1974 under the trade name Roundup.
There are concerns about the effects of glyphosate on human health and the environment. Glyphosate can enter the human body if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, or if it is inhaled or ingested. It can also be ingested by eating or smoking after applying it without washing one's hands. It may cause eye or skin irritation, and people who have inhaled it have reported irritation in their nose and throat. Swallowing products containing glyphosate can cause increased saliva, burns in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" based on epidemiological studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies. However, other organizations, such as the European Food Safety Authority, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the European Union, have concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic or genotoxic. The EPA has also stated that glyphosate does not interfere with the endocrine system or hormones in humans and is not toxic to the nervous or immune systems.
Despite these assurances, some studies have linked glyphosate exposure to various adverse health outcomes, including arthritis, metabolic syndrome, reproductive and endocrine-system effects, liver disease, kidney disease, and possible mental health issues. For example, a 2020 study found that glyphosate residues on food could cause dysbiosis, as opportunistic pathogens are more resistant to glyphosate than commensal bacteria. This could potentially trigger diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Another study in 2025 linked glyphosate exposure to elevated risks of arthritis.
In addition, glyphosate has been found to affect the gut microbiome, which could have consequences for mental health and potentially affect the human reproductive system. A 2024 study found glyphosate in the sperm and blood plasma of infertile French men, suggesting a negative impact on male reproductive health. A separate study in 2025 reported that glyphosate disrupts female hormones and damages the ovaries and uterus, making it more difficult for women to get pregnant.
To limit exposure to glyphosate, it is recommended to always wash hands carefully after using glyphosate or touching treated plants, wear protective clothing, avoid spraying on windy days, and never eat, drink, or smoke while using glyphosate.
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Regulatory actions and reviews
In 2009, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a registration review for glyphosate, requiring additional studies to support updated human health and ecological risk assessments. The EPA collaborated with Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency and requested data on product chemistry, performance, hazards to humans and wildlife, post-application exposure, environmental fate, and residue chemistry, among other topics.
In January 2020, the EPA's decision largely maintained the status quo, permitting continued glyphosate use with no significant changes, which led to criticism and legal challenges. The EPA's decision was based on a cost-benefit analysis that was deemed flawed and incomplete by organisations like NRDC and PANNA, who argued that the EPA ignored serious risks associated with glyphosate use.
In February 2020, the EPA published an interim decision registration review (ID) for glyphosate, concluding that it posed no risks to human health when used according to its current label and was unlikely to be a human carcinogen. The ID also identified potential ecological risks, particularly to non-target plants through spray drift, and proposed interim risk mitigation measures.
In June 2022, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the human health portion of the glyphosate ID, holding that the EPA's registration review decision violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by not analysing the effects on endangered and threatened species before issuing its decision. The EPA was granted a voluntary remand for the ecological portion of the ID but was unable to meet the court-imposed deadline for a new ecological assessment.
Regulatory agencies in both the European Union (EU) and the United States have faced criticism for conflicts of interest and the dismissal of independent scientific studies. There are concerns about the infiltration of regulatory agencies by the pesticide and genetically modified (GM) industries, resulting in a favourable outcome for their products. The EU's previous assessment in 2017 allowed glyphosate use until December 2022, and a new assessment is currently underway.
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Frequently asked questions
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses.
Glyphosate is not a fossil fuel, but it is a synthetic chemical derived from aminophosphonic acid and the amino acid glycine. Its production requires a lot of fossil raw materials and energy.
There are concerns about the health and environmental effects of glyphosate. While some organizations have concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic, others have classified it as "probably carcinogenic in humans". Regulatory agencies have determined that glyphosate does not pose a risk to human health when used as directed.
Glyphosate is absorbed through foliage and inhibits the plant enzyme EPSP synthase, preventing plants from producing certain proteins necessary for growth.
