{"hq_id":"hq-p-out-000001","name":"Roundup (Glyphosate-based herbicide)","category":{"primary":"outdoor","secondary":"","tags":[]},"product_tier":"OUT","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Roundup is the world's most widely used herbicide. The controversy: regulators evaluated glyphosate alone, but people are exposed to the full formulation including POEA surfactant.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.85,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.935,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":4,"compounds_total":4,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"iarc_classification":"Group 2A - probably carcinogenic to humans (2015)","key_concern":"Formulated product (with surfactants) shows higher toxicity than glyphosate alone in many studies","litigation":"$11+ billion settlement by Bayer (2020) for cancer claims","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":[],"sensitive_populations":"","exposure_routes":""},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","inhalation"],"contact_types":["dermal","inhalation","oral_indirect"],"users":["adult","child","pregnant"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"seasonal","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children","Exposure during pregnancy with potential fetal transfer"],"notes":"Exposure to Roundup (Glyphosate-based herbicide) occurs via dermal, inhalation. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling). Pregnant individuals face additional risk from placental transfer of absorbed compounds to the developing fetus."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Contains suspected carcinogen","meaning":"Glyphosate — classified by IARC or NTP as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans","action":"Minimize exposure; consider alternatives; follow use guidelines strictly"},{"indicator":"Overall risk level: high","meaning":"Multiple hazard pathways identified for this product category","action":"Limit exposure duration and frequency; use protective measures where applicable"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party safety tested","meaning":"Independent laboratory verification of safety claims","verification":"Check for recognized certification marks and test reports"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Has this product been tested for carcinogenic compounds?","why_it_matters":"Products in this category may contain or release carcinogenic compounds; independent testing provides verification beyond manufacturer claims"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Acetic acid-based herbicides (vinegar)","notes":"Lower toxicity, natural ingredient, faster biodegradation"},{"name":"Mechanical removal or mulching","notes":"Chemical-free method, no toxicity or environmental concerns"},{"name":"Citric acid herbicides","notes":"Plant-based, biodegradable, lower health risk profile"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA — California","regulation":"California Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986)","citation":null,"requirements":"Products containing chemicals on the Prop 65 list require clear and reasonable warnings if exposure exceeds safe harbor levels. Applies to products sold in California.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006","citation":null,"requirements":"Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Articles containing SVHCs >0.1% w/w must notify ECHA and inform consumers on request.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"EPA FIFRA","issuer":"EPA","standard":"Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act","scope":"Pesticide registration, labeling, and use requirements"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Hazardous waste collection; never pour down drain or into storm drains; triple-rinse containers","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"liquid","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000002","name":"Glyphosate isopropylamine salt","role":"active_ingredient","concentration_pct":"41"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Water","role":"carrier","concentration_pct":"40-45"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) surfactant","role":"surfactant","concentration_pct":"15"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000046","name":"Isopropyl alcohol","role":"co-solvent","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":["EPA FIFRA"]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","material_name":"Residential Lawn and Garden Pesticide/Herbicide System","component":"herbicide formulation","prevalence":"common","notes":"Glyphosate-based herbicide with surfactant system (POEA)"}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"Glyphosate IARC 2A (probable carcinogen); 80% of US population with detectable urine levels","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000001"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"2,4-D IARC 2A (probable carcinogen); non-Hodgkin lymphoma associations in farmers; 50%+ US adult urine detectability","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-001611"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"Imidacloprid neonicotinoid; aquatic invertebrate toxicity extreme; thyroid disruption concerns; EU outdoor ban 2018","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-001566"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"Chlorpyrifos (legacy, banned food crops 2021, LEGAL on lawns); organophosphate neurotoxin; EPA margin of safety concerns for children","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"POEA adjuvant (in some products) amplifies glyphosate toxicity 1,000× in aquatic systems; synergistic toxicity not captured by active-ingredient-only risk assessment","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"No consumer residue labeling for treated lawns; re-entry intervals designed for applicator safety, not family safety","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"Spray drift and neighbor exposure; no buffer zone requirement for residential use (unlike agricultural applications)","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"Regulatory gap: EPA reaffirmed glyphosate registration 2020 despite IARC 2A classification; no cancer warning required on label; litigation ongoing ($11B+ Monsanto/Bayer settlements)","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000056","concern":"Potential contaminant: Formaldehyde and other manufacturing byproducts","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000011"],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","compound_name":"Glyphosate","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000002","compound_name":"Glyphosate isopropylamine salt","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000003","compound_name":"Glyphosate potassium salt","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000005","compound_name":"Polyethoxylated tallow amine","role":"base","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["Roundup","glyphosate herbicide"],"manufacturer":"Bayer (formerly Monsanto)","aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 112 — Glyphosate Group 2A; IARC Monographs Volume 113 — 2,4-D and other herbicides","year":2015,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000056"},{"id":"src_002","type":"journal","title":"NHANES Biomonitoring: Glyphosate and 2,4-D in 80-90% of US population urine samples","year":2019,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000056"},{"id":"src_003","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Glyphosate Interim Registration Review Decision (2020); Chlorpyrifos Risk Assessment (2020)","year":2020,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000056"},{"id":"src_004","type":"regulatory","title":"EU Regulation 2018/783 — Neonicotinoid outdoor use ban (imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam)","year":2018,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000056"},{"id":"src_005","type":"journal","title":"POEA Surfactant Amplifies Glyphosate Aquatic Toxicity 1000-fold","year":2005,"inherited_from":"hq-m-chm-000056"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-01T14:21:30.871Z"}}