Potential toxic effects of glyphosate and its commercial formulations below regulatory limits.
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GlyBH), including Roundup, are the most widely used pesticides worldwide. Their uses have increased exponentially since their introduction on the market. Residue levels in food or water, as well as human exposures, are escalating. We have reviewed the toxic effects of GlyBH measured below regulatory limits by evaluating the published literature and regulatory reports. We reveal a coherent body of evidence indicating that GlyBH could be toxic below the regulatory lowest observed adverse effect level for chronic toxic effects. It includes teratogenic, tumorigenic and hepatorenal effects. They could be explained by endocrine disruption and oxidative stress, causing metabolic alterations, depending on dose and exposure time. Some effects were detected in the range of the recommended acceptable daily intake. Toxic effects of commercial formulations can also be explained by GlyBH adjuvants, which have their own toxicity, but also enhance glyphosate toxicity. These challenge the assumption of safety of GlyBH at the levels at which they contaminate food and the environment, albeit these levels may fall below regulatory thresholds. Neurodevelopmental, reproductive, and transgenerational effects of GlyBH must be revisited, since a growing body of knowledge suggests the predominance of endocrine disrupting mechanisms caused by environmentally relevant levels of exposure.
University of Caen, Institute of Biology and Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment (MRSH), Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen Cedex, France; CRIIGEN, 81 rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.
R
R
Mesnage
University of Caen, Institute of Biology and Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment (MRSH), Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen Cedex, France; CRIIGEN, 81 rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.
N
N
Defarge
CRIIGEN, 81 rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.
J
J
Spiroux de Vendômois
University of Caen, Institute of Biology and Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment (MRSH), Esplanade de la Paix, 14032 Caen Cedex, France; CRIIGEN, 81 rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, France. Electronic address: gilles-eric.seralini@unicaen.fr.
G E
GE
Séralini
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods; D000097797:Glyphosate
D002273:Carcinogens; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D005998:Glycine; D006540:Herbicides; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D013723:Teratogens; D000097797:Glyphosate
Endocrine disruption; GMO; Glyphosate; Pesticide; Roundup; Toxicity