Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is a nonselective herbicide that inhibits the shikimic acid
pathway in plants. Glyphosate is the most commonly used agricultural pesticide and the second most used pesticide around homes and gardens. It is applied to control
woody and herbaceous weeds in forestry, cropped, and non-cropped sites. Although the bacteria in soil break down glyphosates into aminomethylphosphonic acid
(AMPA), wastewater discharge samples and drinking water samples in the United States and Europe have tested positive for glyphosate.2-4 Studies have raised global health and environmental concerns about the usage of
glyphosate.5 In 2006, the US EPA set the minimum contaminant level (MCL) for glyphosate at 0.7 mg/L.6
Long-term exposure to glyphosate at levels above the MCL may cause kidney damage and reproductive defects in human biological systems.
United States
