EPA reaffirms that glyphosate poses no risk to public health
After reviewing glyphosate, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reaffirms its finding that “there are no risks to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label and that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.”
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After reviewing glyphosate, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reaffirms its finding that “there are no risks to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label and that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.” The agency’s scientific findings on human health risk are consistent with the conclusions of science reviews by many other countries and other federal agencies. While the agency did not identify public health risks in the 2017 human health risk assessment, the 2017 ecological assessment did identify ecological risks. To address these risks, EPA is proposing management measures to help farmers target pesticide sprays on the intended pest, protect pollinators, and reduce the problem of weeds becoming resistant to glyphosate.
“EPA has found no risks to public health from the current registered uses of glyphosate,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s proposed action includes new management measures that will help farmers use glyphosate in the most effective and efficient way possible, including pollinator protections. We look forward to input from farmers and other stakeholders to ensure that the draft management measures are workable, realistic, and effective.”
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in U.S. agriculture and has been studied for decades. Glyphosate is used on more than 100 food crops, including glyphosate-resistant corn, soybean, cotton, canola, and sugar beet.