Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses.

Glyphosate has been used as a pesticide since the 1970s. Glyphosate acid and several related glyphosate salt compounds are also registered pesticides.
Glyphosate is used in products such as Roundup^® to control weeds in many places, including:
- a wide variety of fruit, vegetable, and other food crops,
- ornamental plantings, lawns and turf, greenhouses, aquatic areas, forest plantings, and roadside rights-of-way for total vegetation control, and
- glyphosate-resistant (transgenic) crop varieties such as canola, corn, cotton, soybeans, sugar beets, and wheat.
Products are sold in liquid, solid, and ready-to-use formulations, and applied using ground and aerial equipment and small hand-held sprayers.
Glyphosate products can be safely used by following label directions.
- Glyphosate has low toxicity for humans.
  - Protective eye wear is recommended for the few products that may cause eye irritation.
  - Entry into agricultural fields is allowed 12-hours after application of these products.
- Glyphosate is no more than slightly toxic to birds and is practically nontoxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and honeybees.
  - Certain products contain an ingredient that is toxic to some fish.
  - Follow the label directions to protect fish and aquatic environments.
Glyphosate and the related acid and salt compounds are currently undergoing registration review, a program that re-evaluates all pesticides on a 15-year cycle.

Additional Information