| glyphosate (Ref: MON 0573) |
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SUMMARY
Glyphosate is a non-selective common and effective herbicide. It is highly soluble in water, relatively volatile and does not normally leach to groundwater. It is not persistent in soils but may be in aquatic systems under certain conditions. It is moderately toxic to humans and a skin and eye irritant. It is moderately toxic to birds, most aquatic organisms, earthworms and honeybees. GENERAL INFORMATION 
for glyphosate
Description: A broad-spectrum herbicide used in a wide range of cropping, utility and industrial situations to for broad-spectrum control of weeds and grasses
Example pests controlled: Annual and perennial weeds, Broad-leaved weeds, Grasses
Example applications: Agriculture including cereals; Soybeans, Glyphosate tolerant crops; Horticulture; Forestry; Domestic gardens, lawns
Efficacy & activity: -
Availability status: Current
Introduction & key dates: 1971, first reported
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414):
| Status | Approved |
| Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur | Germany/Slovakia |
| Date inclusion expires | 15/12/2022 |
| EU Candidate for substitution (CfS) | No |
| Listed in EU database | Yes |
Approved for use (
) or known to be used (
) in the following European countries: 
AT |
BE |
BG |
CY |
CZ |
DE |
DK |
EE |
EL |
ES |
FI |
FR |
HR |
HU |
IE |
IT |
LT |
LU |
LV |
MT |
NL |
PL |
PT |
RO |
SE |
SI |
SK |
UK |
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Also used in: Australia, USA
Chemical structure:
| Isomerism | - |
| Chemical formula | C3H8NO5P |
| Canonical SMILES | C(C(=O)O)NCP(=O)(O)O |
| Isomeric SMILES | No data |
| International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey) | XDDAORKBJWWYJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| International Chemical Identifier (InChI) | InChI=1S/C3H8NO5P/c5-3(6)1-4-2-10(7,8)9/h4H,1-2H2,(H,5,6)(H2,7,8,9) |
| 2D structure diagram/image available? | Yes |
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams:
| Common Name | Relationship | Link |
| Glyphosate | - |  |
General status:
| Pesticide type | Herbicide | |
| Substance group | Phosphonoglycine | |
| Minimum active substance purity | 950 g/kg | |
| Known relevant impurities | EU dossier - Formaldehyde < 1 g/kg; N-nitroso-glyphosate < 1 mg/kg | |
| Substance origin | Synthetic | |
| Mode of action | Broad-spectrum, systemic, contact action translocated and non-residual. Inhibition of EPSP synthase. | |
| CAS RN | 1071-83-6 | |
| EC number | 213-997-4 | |
| CIPAC number | 284 | |
| US EPA chemical code | 417300 | |
| PubChem CID | 3496 | |
| Molecular mass (g mol-1) | 169.1 | |
| PIN (Preferred Identification Name) | - | |
| IUPAC name | N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine | |
| CAS name | N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine | |
| Other status information | Risk of herbicide resistance developing - anti-resistance management required; PAN listed Highly Hazardous Chemical | |
| Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards | - | |
| Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC) | G | |
| Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA) | 9 | |
| Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC) | Not applicable | |
| Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC) | Not applicable | |
| Examples of recorded resistance | Eleusine indica Lolium rigidum Amaranthus palmeri Euphorbia heterophylla |
|
| Physical state | Colourless crystals | |
| Related substances & organisms | ||
Formulations:
| Property |
Value | |||
| Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically |
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| Example products using this active |
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| UK LERAP status | Buffer probably required in UK - see product label | |||
| Formulation and application details | Often supplied as a soluble concentrate that is mixed with water and applied as a spray. | |||
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
for glyphosate
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Solubility - In water at 20oC (mg l-1) | 10500 | A3 | High | |
| Solubility - In organic solvents at 20oC (mg l-1) | 0.6 | A5 - Acetone | - | |
| 0.6 | A5 - Xylenes | - | ||
| 10 | A5 - Methanol | - | ||
| 0.6 | A5 - Ethyl acetate | - | ||
| Melting point (oC) | 189.5 | A5 | - | |
| Boiling point (oC) | Decomposes before boiling | A5 | - | |
| Degradation point (oC) | 200 | L3 | - | |
| Flashpoint (oC) | Not expected to self ignite; Not highly flammable | A5 | - | |
| Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20oC | P | 6.31 X 10-04 | Calculated | - |
| Log P | -3.2 | A5 - @ 25 DegC | Low | |
| Bulk density (g ml-1)/Specific gravity | 1.71 | A5 | - | |
| Dissociation constant (pKa) at 25oC | 2.34 | A5 | - | |
| Note: Strong acid, pKa(2) = 5.73 | ||||
| Vapour pressure at 20oC (mPa) | 0.0131 | A5 | Low volatility | |
| Henry's law constant at 25oC (Pa m3 mol-1) | 2.10 X 10-07 | A5 | Non-volatile | |
GUS leaching potential index  |
-0.29 | Calculated | Low leachability | |
| SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l-1) for a 1 kg ha-1 or 1 l ha-1 application rate |
Value | 5.35 X 10-03 | Calculated | - |
| Note | Estimated concentrations of chemicals with Koc values greater than 9995 ml g-1 are beyond the scope of the regression data used in SCI-GROW development. If there are concerns for such chemicals, a higher tier groundwater exposure assessment should be considered, regardless of the concentration returned by SCI-GROW | |||
| Potential for particle bound transport index |
- | Calculated | Medium | |
| Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol-1 cm-1 | 290nm=10; No max in range 200-340 nm | A5 | - | |
| Surface tension (mN m-1) | 72.2 | A5 | - | |
Degradation:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
General biodegradability | - |
| Soil degradation (days) (aerobic) | DT50 (typical) | 15.0 | A5 | Non-persistent |
| DT50 (lab at 20oC) | 15.0 | A5 | Non-persistent | |
| DT50 (field) | 23.79 | A5 | Non-persistent | |
| DT90 (lab at 20oC) | 215.2 | A5 | - | |
| DT90 (field) | 169.68 | A5 | - | |
| DT50 modelling endpoint | - | - | - | |
| Note | EU Dossier (2015) Lab studies DT50 range 1.0-67.7 days, DT90 range 9.3-1661 days, Soils=15; field studies DT50 range 5.7-40.9 days, DT90 range 66.9-386.6 days, Soils = 8 | |||
| Dissipation rate RL50 on plant matrix | Value | - | - | - |
| Note | - | |||
| Dissipation rate RL50 on and in plant matrix | Value | 10.6 | R4 | - |
| Note | Published literature RL50 range 2.2-17.0 days, 6 field crops, various matrices, n=6 | |||
| Aqueous photolysis DT50 (days) at pH 7 | Value | 69 | A5 | Stable |
| Note | pH sensitive: DT50 33 days at pH 5, 77 days at pH 9 | |||
| Aqueous hydrolysis DT50 (days) at 20oC and pH 7 | Value | Stable | A5 | - |
| Note | Stable pH 5 to pH 8 at 25 degC | |||
| Water-sediment DT50 (days) | 74.5 | A5 | Moderately fast | |
| Water phase only DT50 (days) | 9.9 | A5 | Moderately fast | |
Soil adsorption and mobility:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Linear | Kd | 209.4 | A5 | Slightly mobile |
| Koc | 1424 | |||
| Notes and range | EU dossier (2015) Kd range 5.0-510 mL/g, koc range 884-50660 mL/g, Soils=9 | |||
| Freundlich | Kf | 226.3 | A5 | Non-mobile |
| Kfoc | 16331 | |||
| 1/n | 0.86 | |||
| Notes and range | EU dossier (2015) Kf range 9.4-700 mL/g, Kfoc range 1600-60000, 1/n range 0.72-1.16, Soils=11 | |||
| pH sensitivity | No | |||
Key metabolites:
| Metabolite | Formation medium | Estimated maximum occurrence fraction | 1107/2009 relevancy |
|
| aminomethylphosphonic acid |
Soil | 0.538 | Major fraction, Relevant | |
Other known metabolites:
| Metabolite name and reference | Aliases | Formation medium / Rate | Estimated maximum occurrence fraction | Metabolising enzymes |
| N-acetyl-N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine | N-acetyl-glyphosate | Plants; Livestock | - | - |
| (acetamidomethyl)phosphonic acid | N-acetyl-AMPA | Plants; Livestock | - | - |
| (hydroxymethyl)phosphonic acid | HMPA | Water | - | - |
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Bio-concentration factor | BCF (l kg-1) | 0.5 | F4 Whole fish | Low potential |
| CT50 (days) | Not available | - | ||
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | > 2000 | A5 Rat | Low | |
| Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL | (mg kg-1) | 150 | A5 Rat | Moderate |
| (ppm diet) | - | - | ||
| Birds - Acute LD50 (mg kg-1) | > 2250 | A5 Colinus virginianus | Low | |
| Birds - Short term dietary (LC50/LD50) | > 4640 mg kg feed-1 | A4 Unknown species | - | |
| Fish - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | 38.0 | A5 Oncorhynchus mykiss | Moderate | |
| Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l-1) | 1.0 | A3 Brachydanio rerio | Moderate | |
| Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC50 (mg l-1) | 40 | A5 Daphnia magna | Moderate | |
| Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l-1) | 12.5 | A5 Daphnia magna | Low | |
| Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | 40.0 | F4 Americamysis bahia | Moderate | |
| Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg-1) | - | - | - | |
| Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC50, biomass (mg l-1) | 12 | A5 Lemna gibba | Low | |
| Non-target plants | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | ||
| Algae - Acute 72 hour EC50, growth (mg l-1) | 19.0 | A5 Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata | Low | |
| Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l-1) | 2 | Q2 Unknown species | Low | |
| Honeybees (Apis spp.) | Contact acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | > 100 | A5 Apis mellifera | Low |
| Oral acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | 100 | A5 Apis mellifera | Moderate | |
| Unknown mode acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | - | - | - | |
| Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) | Contact acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | - | - | - |
| - | ||||
| Oral acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | - | - | - | |
| - | ||||
| Mason bees (Osmia spp.) | Contact acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | - | - | - |
| Oral acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee-1) | - | - | - | |
| Other pollinators (1) | Acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect-1) | - | - | - |
| Mode of exposure | - | |||
| Other pollinators (2) | Acute LD50 (worst case from 24 , 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect-1) | - | - | - |
| Mode of exposure | - | |||
| Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC50 (mg kg-1) | > 5600 | A5 Eisenia foetida | Low | |
| Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg-1) | > 28.8 | A5 Eisenia foetida | Moderate | |
| Other soil macro-organisms | Acute LC50 (mg kg-1) | - | - | - | Chronic NOEC (mg kg-1) | 587 | A4 Folsomia candida | - |
| Other arthropod (1) | LR50 g ha-1 | 5760 | > A5 Aphidius rhopalosiphi |
- |
| % Effect | 25 6 |
Mortality Fertility Dose: 3.72 kg ha-1 A5 Aphidius rhopalosiphi, adult |
- | |
| Other arthropod (2) | LR50 g ha-1 | 4320 | > A5 Typhlodromus pyri |
- |
| % Effect | 30 0 |
Mortality Fertility Dose: 3.6 kg ha-1 A5 Typhlodromus pyri, lifecycle |
- | |
| Soil micro-organisms | Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect |
A5 Dose: 18 kg ha-1 |
- | |
| Mesocosm study data | NOEAEC mg l-1 | - | - | - |
| NOEAEC mg l-1 | - | - | - | |
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
for glyphosate
General:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class) |
High (class III) | - | - | |
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | > 2000 | A5 Rat | Low | |
| Mammals - Dermal LD50 (mg kg-1 body weight) | > 2000 | A5 Rat | - | |
| Mammals - Inhalation LC50 (mg l-1) | > 5.0 | A5 Rat, 4 hr (nose only) | - | |
| Other Mammal toxicity endpoints | - | - | ||
| ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.5 | A5 Rat, SF=100 | - | |
| ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.5 | A5 rat, SF=100 | - | |
| AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg-1 bw day-1) | - | - | - | |
| AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.1 | A3 Rabbit, SF=500 | - | |
| Dermal penetration studies (%) | 1.0 | A5 | - | |
| Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464 | - | - | - | |
| Exposure Routes | Public | Risks to bystanders and residents considered low | ||
| Occupational | PPE/PPC recommended to reduce risks | |||
| European MRLs | Click here for the EU MRL pesticide database | |||
| Drinking Water Standards | - | - | - | |
| Drinking Water MAC (μg l-1) | - | - | - | |
Health issues:
| Carcinogen | Genotoxic | Endocrine disrupter | Reproduction / development effects | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Neurotoxicant | |||
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A3; B1; C3; D0; E3 |
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| Respiratory tract irritant | Skin irritant | Skin sensitiser | Eye irritant | Phototoxicant | ||||
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| General human health issues | IARC group 2A carcinogen; USEPA - no evidence to support classification as human carcinogen Possible bladder and liver toxicant May cause serious eye damage Endocrine issues - Disruption of aromatase activity |
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| Key: Genotoxicity A: Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) B: DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) C: Gene mutation (EFSA database) D: Genome mutation (EFSA database) E: Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0: No data 1: Positive 2: Mixed/ambiguous results 3: Negative |
Key: Other : Yes, known to cause a problem  : No, known not to cause a problem  : Possibly, status not identified - : No data found |
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Handling issues:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| General |
IMDG Transport Code is usually 9 Not oxidising or explosive Corrosive |
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| CLP classification 2013 | Handling: GHS05 Health: H318 Environment: H411 |
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| EC Risk Classification |
Xn - Harmful: R41 N - Dangerous for the environment: R51, R53 |
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| EC Safety Classification |
S2, S26, S39, S61 | |||
| WHO Classification | III | - | Slightly hazardous | |
| UN Number | Variable with product, usually 3077 or 3082 | |||
| Waste disposal & packaging |
Packaging Group III (minor danger) | |||
| Language | Name |
| English | glyphosate |
| French | glyphosate |
| German | Glyphosat |
| Danish | glyphosat |
| Italian | glifosate |
| Spanish | glifosato |
| Greek | glyphosate |
| Slovenian | glifosat |
| Polish | glifosat |
| Swedish | glyfosat |
| Hungarian | glifozat |
| Dutch | glyfosaat |
Record last updated: Wednesday 25 March 2020
Contact: aeru@herts.ac.uk