Glyphosate and Its Formulations - Toxicity, Occupational and Environmental Exposure

Abstract

Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) is an active ingredient of the most widely used herbicide formulations in protecting agricultural and horticultural crops. Numerous results (mostly published in the years 2010-2013) concerning the action of glyphosate and its formulations in the recent decade were analyzed. Initial reports about alleged biodegradability of glyphosate in the environment turned out to be wrong. It has been shown that glyphosate remains in the soil and can reach people by spreading along with groundwater. Recent publications have shown that glyphosate is detected at low concentrations in the human blood. Publications cited in this article, which indicate a possible induction of neoplastic changes by glyphosate formulation, have raised great concern and controversy in the scientific world. Presenting adverse effects of glyphosate and its formulations we focused on the role of glyphosate formulations in hormonal disorders by impeding the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and the inhibition of aromatase activity. The impact of glyphosate on oxygen reactive species formation, changes in redox system and the effect on necrosis and apoptosis in various types of cells was shown. We also revealed that glyphosate as a phosphonate herbicide does not inhibit directly the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Based on numerous studies it was noted that commercial formulations of glyphosate exhibit higher toxicity than that of the active substance itself. The discussed problems clearly show the need to evaluate the toxicity of glyphosate and its formulations and related potential threat to humans.

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

“…This disruption may affect the supply of human organism with essential amino acids ( 85 ). Commercial glyphosate formulations are considered to be more toxic than the active substance alone ( 80 , 83 , 86 , 87 ). Glyphosate-based herbicides, such as the well-known “Roundup,” can cause DNA damages and act as endocrine disruptors in human cell lines ( 60 ) and in rat testicular cells ( 88 ), cause damages to cultured human cutaneous cells ( 89 ), and promote cell death in the testicular cells of experimental animals ( 88 , 90 ).…”

The rise of glyphosate and new opportunities for biosentinel early‐warning studies

“…; Kwiatkowska et al. ). High water solubility has guaranteed its distribution in aquatic ecosystems, where its toxic impact has been seen in fish (Menendez‐Helman et al.…”

“…It is generally assumed that glyphosate does not persist in the environment due to sedimentation and breakdown by microorganisms (Battaglin et al 2005). However, residues of glyphosate, and its main metabolite AMPA, have been found in both food and water sources, indicating the potential risks for frequent, long-term exposure (Landry et al 2005;Mañas et al 2009;Kwiatkowska et al 2013). High water solubility has guaranteed its distribution in aquatic ecosystems, where its toxic impact has been seen in fish (Menendez-Helman et al 2012;Braz-Mota et al 2015), insects (Pérez et al 2011), and birds (Oliveira et al 2007).…”

Impact of Pesticides Used in the Culture of the Vine on the Viability of the Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Wine in Chronological Aging

“…In the last years it was shown that glyphosate does not give in to fast biodegradation, it stays in soil and it may reach to earth water. It was demonstrated that glyphosate with low concentration is detected in blood serum of people (Kwiatkowska et al 2013). It may induce cancerous changes and affect on hormonal ones.…”