Co-Formulants and Heavy Metals in Glyphosate Products Are 1000x More Toxic

This toxicology study demonstrated that co-formulants present in commercial glyphosate-based herbicides, along with heavy metal contaminants including arsenic and chromium, are up to 1,000 times more toxic to human cells than glyphosate alone. Multiple commercial formulations available worldwide were tested.

The research revealed that polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA), a common surfactant in Roundup, and petroleum-based residues classified as 'inert ingredients' exhibited severe cytotoxicity at extremely low concentrations. Heavy metals were detected as contaminants in multiple commercial formulations.

These findings have critical regulatory implications because pesticide safety testing is typically performed only on the declared active ingredient, not on complete commercial formulations that people actually encounter.

Key Findings

• •Commercial glyphosate formulations containing co-formulants were up to 1,000 times more toxic to human cells than pure glyphosate.
• •POEA (polyethoxylated tallow amine) showed severe cytotoxicity at very low concentrations.
• •Arsenic, chromium, cobalt, lead, and nickel were detected as contaminants in commercial glyphosate products.
• •Co-formulants classified as 'inert ingredients' are not required to undergo individual safety testing.
• •Real products are vastly more toxic than pure glyphosate, undermining current regulatory safety assessments.

Methodology

Multiple commercial glyphosate-based herbicide formulations were tested. Pure glyphosate, isolated co-formulants, and complete formulations were applied to human cell lines at serial dilutions. Cell viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis markers were assessed. Heavy metal content was analyzed using ICP-MS.

Why This Matters for Families

When families are told that glyphosate residues are 'within safe limits,' those limits were established using tests on pure glyphosate — not the cocktail of toxic co-formulants and heavy metals in real Roundup products. Choosing organic is the safest way to avoid this toxic cocktail.