Toxicological concerns regarding glyphosate, its formulations, and co-formulants as environmental pollutants: a review of published studies from 2010 to 2025.

Summary

This narrative review, authored by a multidisciplinary international team, consolidates peer-reviewed toxicological research published between 2010 and 2025 concerning glyphosate, glyphosate-based herbicide formulations, and their co-formulants. The paper likely argues that regulatory assessments have historically underweighted the hazards of adjuvants and co-formulants relative to the active ingredient alone, and that cumulative evidence points to broader environmental and biological risks than currently acknowledged in regulatory frameworks. Published in Archives of Toxicology, the review is positioned as a comprehensive reference for researchers and policymakers reassessing the safety profile of one of the world's most widely used herbicides.

UK applicability

Highly applicable to the UK context, where glyphosate remains widely used in pre-harvest desiccation and conservation tillage systems, and where its authorisation is subject to ongoing regulatory review by the Health and Safety Executive following the UK's departure from the EU; the findings on co-formulant toxicity are particularly pertinent given gaps in current UK pesticide approval processes.

Key measures

Toxicological endpoints (genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, endocrine disruption); environmental contamination levels; effects on non-target organisms; co-formulant hazard profiles

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises published evidence from 2010 to 2025 on the toxicological hazards of glyphosate, glyphosate-based herbicide formulations, and their co-formulants across environmental and biological systems. It likely evaluates endpoints including genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and human health effects associated with environmental exposure.

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