Glyphosate | Glufosinate Molecule
As of October 30, 2019, there were over 42,000 plaintiffs who said that glyphosate herbicides caused their cancer.
After the IARC classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in March 2015, many state and federal lawsuits were filed in the United States. Early on, over 300 of them were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation called In re: RoundUp Products Liability.
Glyphosate | Glufosinate Molecule. It’s important to note that exposure to glufosinate typically occurs through residues on food, and the herbicide has undergone regulatory assessments to establish safe levels.
Here are some potential considerations regarding glufosinate:
- Toxicity and Safety Levels: Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have established maximum residue limits (MRLs) for glufosinate on various crops. These limits are set to ensure that the levels of residues on or in food products do not pose unacceptable health risks.
- Acute Toxicity: Glufosinate has low acute toxicity in mammals. Short-term exposure to typical levels of glufosinate residues on food is not expected to cause immediate harm. However, as with any chemical, it is important to adhere to established safety guidelines.
- Chronic Exposure: Long-term or chronic exposure to glufosinate has been studied to assess potential health effects. Some studies have investigated whether chronic exposure to glufosinate is associated with certain health conditions, but findings may vary, and more research is needed.
- Respiratory and Eye Irritation: When handling concentrated forms of glufosinate, there is a potential for irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Proper protective measures should be taken by individuals involved in the application of herbicides.
- Environmental Impact: In addition to human health considerations, the impact of glufosinate on the environment, including non-target species and ecosystems, is a subject of study and regulatory evaluation.
Glyphosate | Glufosinate Molecule. Glufosinate-ammonium is a broad-spectrum herbicide commonly used to control a variety of weeds and unwanted vegetation. Here are some key points about glufosinate-ammonium:
Chemical Structure:
- Glufosinate-ammonium is a phosphinic acid derivative with the chemical name (±)-2-amino-4-(
hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid monoammonium salt. It does contain a phosphorus atom in the phosphinic acid moiety, not as a direct component. - Its chemical name is (±)-2-amino-4-(
hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid monoammonium salt. - The compound consists of an ammonium cation (NH₄⁺) and the glufosinate anion.
Mode of Action:
- Glufosinate inhibits the activity of the enzyme glutamine synthetase, which is involved in the synthesis of the amino acid glutamine.
- By inhibiting this enzyme, glufosinate disrupts the plant’s ability to produce proteins, ultimately leading to the death of the targeted weeds