Glyphosate – Mechanism, Usage and Health Concerns
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Learn about its effects, health controversies, and scientific classification by WHO, IARC and EFSA.
Things worth knowing about "Glyphosate"
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide. Learn about its effects, health controversies, and scientific classification by WHO, IARC and EFSA.
Glyphosate: Mechanism, Use and Health Assessment
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide developed by Monsanto in 1974 (marketed as Roundup®). It works by inhibiting the EPSP synthase enzyme in the shikimate pathway – a process essential in plants but absent in humans and animals, which once led to it being considered relatively safe.
Today, glyphosate is the most commonly applied pesticide globally, especially in genetically modified crops such as soy and corn.
Effects & Applications:
- Herbicidal action: Disrupts amino acid synthesis in weeds
- Pre-harvest treatment (desiccation): Used to dry crops (e.g. wheat)
- General weed control in agriculture, urban areas, railways
Health and Environmental Concerns:
- Possibly carcinogenic: IARC (2015) classified it as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A)
- Regulatory disagreement: EFSA (2015) and BfR concluded “no likely carcinogenic risk” at normal exposure
- Microbiome impact: Studies suggest potential harm to gut flora
- Ecotoxicity: Harmful to amphibians, insects (e.g. bees through habitat loss), and soil organisms
Detection in Food and Humans:
- Glyphosate residues found in urine samples and groundwater
- Primary sources: non-organic grains, soy, animal feed
Scientific References:
- IARC (2015): Monograph 112 – Glyphosate classification
- EFSA (2015): Peer review report on glyphosate
- van Bruggen AHC et al. (2018): Health and environmental effects, Sci Total Environ
- Mesnage R et al. (2015): Endocrine disruption potential, Front Endocrinol
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