Debunking Claims About Roundup
Roundup is a widely used herbicide brand that’s been gaining notoriety for its potential health dangers. While reasonable points are being made, many exaggerations and misconceptions exist. In this blog, we’re going to give our honest take on Roundup usage and break down the facts as best we can.
The Difference Between Roundup and Glyphosate
First, some quick clarification: while Roundup and glyphosate are often used interchangeably, one is a chemical and one is a product line.
- Glyphosate: A chemical compound used in many herbicide formulations, including Roundup, that suppresses an enzyme essential for weed growth.
- Roundup: A line of herbicide products owned by Bayer which have glyphosate as the main ingredient. In addition to glyphosate, Roundup products use other ingredients to enhance their weed-killing effectiveness.
What Are Some of the Claims About Roundup?
Here are a few false or exaggerated Roundup claims that we’d like to clear up.
“Roundup is immediately toxic to humans upon contact”
Many regulatory agencies found that Roundup is not immediately toxic to humans when used as directed. They also found that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has low acute toxicity overall.
“Roundup kills soil organisms and ruins soil health permanently”
While the glyphosate in Roundup can affect soil microorganisms, the long-term effects are still actively being researched. That said, multiple studies have suggested that it does not cause permanent damage when used correctly.
“Glyphosate remains in the environment indefinitely”
The glyphosate in Roundup degrades moderately quickly thanks to microbial activity, with half of its lifetime ending in anywhere from a few days to several months.
Is There Scientific Evidence of Roundup Causing Cancer?
The glyphosate in Roundup causing cancer has been extensively studied by the scientific community to varying conclusions, with many thinking it’s not a cause for concern. While some suggest potential risks, many major health agencies support the safe use of glyphosate-based products.
Many of The World’s Health Agencies Agree On Glyphosate Safeness
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Stated that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans.
- Health Canada: Reaffirms that glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans and is safe when used correctly.
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA): Finds glyphosate safe when used as directed, with no evidence of carcinogenic risk.
At the same time, some organizations like the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) have raised concerns. However, in both of these cases, the data was mostly animal-based which other organizations like the EPA and EFSA didn’t find validating.
One important thing to note with all of this: while glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, formulations of it can contain other ingredients that may have their own toxicity profiles. Some studies have suggested that these additional ingredients in Roundup could contribute to potential health risks, but there are no conclusive findings yet.
Safety Tips For Using Roundup
Follow these guidelines to safely use Roundup and minimize the potential health and environmental risks. There’s also one simple way to bypass all of these steps.
By letting the professionals at Barefoot Lawn Care do your weed control services, you’ll have peace of mind and results every time.
- Read the Label: Always follow the instructions on the product label around the right dosage, application methods and safety precautions.
- Wear Protective Gear: Use gloves, long sleeves, pants and eye protection to minimize skin contact. If applying in windy conditions, consider using a mask to avoid inhalation.
- Avoid Wind Drift: Try to only apply Roundup on calm days to prevent it from drifting onto plants, people and/or animals.
- Keep Children and Pets Away: Ensure that children and pets are kept away from treated areas until the product has dried completely.
- Store It Safely: Store Roundup in a cool, dry place away from food and out of reach of children and pets.
- Dispose of It Properly: Follow local guidelines for disposing of Roundup containers and any leftover product to prevent contamination.
Barefoot Lawn Care’s Team Is Trained To Handle All Herbicides Safely
All weed control products require planning to be used correctly and effectively. With Barefoot Lawn Care, you can avoid any concerns and considerations and know you’re partnered with local lawn experts. Get started with a free lawn analysis to discuss Roundup’s effectiveness for your lawn.