{"hq_id":"hq-p-out-000068","name":"Glyphosate Herbicide Application (Farmworker Exposure, Pre-Harvest Desiccation, Crop Residue)","category":{"primary":"outdoor","secondary":"agriculture","tags":["glyphosate","Roundup","herbicide","farmworker","desiccation","residue","IARC","crop"]},"product_tier":"OUT","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Glyphosate (Roundup) is the world's most-used herbicide — 280 million lbs/year in US alone. Farmworker exposure: dermal and inhalation during mixing, loading, and application. Pre-harvest desiccation: applied to wheat, oats, lentils, chickpeas 7-14 days before harvest to dry crop uniformly — results in higher glyphosate residue on harvested grain than standard weed-control application. IARC 2A (2015): probable carcinogen (non-Hodgkin lymphoma). EPA (2020): 'not likely to be carcinogenic to humans' — contradicting IARC. Bayer/Monsanto: $10.9B settlement (2020) for cancer claims. MRL: US 30 ppm (oats), EU 20 ppm (oats). EWG testing: glyphosate detected in 95%+ of oat-based products tested.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.82,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"farmworkers (occupational exposure), children (dietary residue, developing systems), rural communities (drift)","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["IARC 2A probable carcinogen (non-Hodgkin lymphoma association)","Pre-harvest desiccation creates higher residue on harvested grain","95%+ of oat-based foods test positive for glyphosate (EWG)","$10.9B Bayer settlement for cancer claims (2020)"],"exposure_routes":"Farmworker: dermal + inhalation. Consumer: oral (dietary residue on grain-based foods)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","inhalation","oral"],"contact_types":["skin_prolonged","inhalation","oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"seasonal","scenarios":["Farmworker: mixing/loading/applying glyphosate (dermal + inhalation)","Pre-harvest desiccation: elevated residue on wheat, oats, lentils","Consumer: dietary exposure from residue on grain-based foods","Residential drift from adjacent agricultural application"],"notes":"IARC vs EPA: IARC evaluated published literature (2A probable carcinogen, NHL). EPA evaluated industry-submitted studies + published (not likely carcinogenic). Key difference: IARC included epidemiological studies showing NHL association; EPA weighted animal studies and mechanistic data differently. Pre-harvest desiccation: not used on all crops — banned in some countries (Germany 2023 for desiccation). Organic crops: no glyphosate use, but cross-contamination from drift possible. EWG: tested 45 oat products, 43 had detectable glyphosate (2018). Farmworker re-entry interval: 4 hours (EPA label). PPE: long sleeves, chemical-resistant gloves for mixing/loading."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Choose organic grains and oat products to minimize glyphosate residue. Pre-harvest desiccation is the primary source of dietary glyphosate — organic certification prohibits this practice. Farmworkers: follow EPA label PPE requirements, 4-hour re-entry interval. Residential: avoid spray drift — buffer zones, wind conditions, neighbor notification.","safer_alternatives":["Organic grains and oat products (no glyphosate use)","Mechanical weed control (tillage, cover cropping)","Targeted spot-spraying instead of broadcast application","Integrated weed management (crop rotation, cover crops, mechanical)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA FIFRA Registration + IARC Monograph 112","citation":"EPA Reg. No. 524-445 (Roundup); IARC Monograph 112 (2015)","requirements":"EPA: registered herbicide, re-entry 4 hours, PPE for mixing/loading. IARC: Group 2A probable carcinogen. US MRL: 30 ppm oats. EU MRL: 20 ppm oats. EU approval expires 12/2033.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA / IARC","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"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":"Empty containers: triple-rinse, puncture, recycle through container recycling programs. Excess product: never pour down drain — use at labeled rates or contact local HHW.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"single_use"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","compound_name":null,"role":"active_ingredient","typical_concentration":"41-50.2% in concentrate"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["glyphosate herbicide application (farmworker exposure, pre-harvest desiccation, crop residue)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"ScottsMiracle-Gro","manufacturer":"ScottsMiracle-Gro","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Lawn and garden leader"},{"brand":"Husqvarna","manufacturer":"Husqvarna","market_position":"premium","notable":"Outdoor power and garden equipment"},{"brand":"DeWalt","manufacturer":"Stanley Black & Decker","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Outdoor power tools"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA FIFRA Registration + IARC Monograph 112 (EPA Reg. No. 524-445 (Roundup); IARC Monograph 112 (2015))","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"EPA Reg. No. 524-445 (Roundup); IARC Monograph 112 (2015)","id":"src_f92b4ec4"},{"id":"src_001","type":"epa","title":"Glyphosate Interim Registration Review Decision Case Number 0178","url":"https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate","accessed":"2025-01-13","year":2020,"notes":"EPA registration review concluding 'not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000001"},{"id":"src_002","type":"iarc","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 112: Glyphosate","publication":"IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans","year":2015,"url":"https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono112.pdf","accessed":"2025-01-13","notes":"IARC classification: Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans)","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000001"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_defdd418","extraction":"description_reference"},{"type":"monograph","title":"International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)","jurisdiction":"International","id":"src_d9ebbaf2","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-01T14:26:01.316Z"}}