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March 2020
March 2020
Agricultural
scientists and engineers have produced the world’s first map detailing global
‘hot spots’ of soil contaminated with glyphosate, a herbicide widely known as
Roundup.
scientists and engineers have produced the world’s first map detailing global
‘hot spots’ of soil contaminated with glyphosate, a herbicide widely known as
Roundup.
The map is
published as the world’s eyes fall on glyphosate and concerns about its
potential impact on environmental and human health. Last year in the US the
owner of Roundup, Monstanto (now owned by Bayer), was ordered to pay $US2 billion to a couple who said they
contracted cancer from the weedkiller, the third case the company had lost.
published as the world’s eyes fall on glyphosate and concerns about its
potential impact on environmental and human health. Last year in the US the
owner of Roundup, Monstanto (now owned by Bayer), was ordered to pay $US2 billion to a couple who said they
contracted cancer from the weedkiller, the third case the company had lost.
This year,
Australia is emerging as the next legal battleground over whether the herbicide
causes cancer with a class action suit being prepared for the Federal Court.
Australia is emerging as the next legal battleground over whether the herbicide
causes cancer with a class action suit being prepared for the Federal Court.
“The
scientific jury is still out on whether the chemical glyphosate is a health
risk,” said Professor Alex McBratney, director of the Sydney Institute of
Agriculture at the University of Sydney. “But we should apply the precautionary
principle when it comes to the health risks.
scientific jury is still out on whether the chemical glyphosate is a health
risk,” said Professor Alex McBratney, director of the Sydney Institute of
Agriculture at the University of Sydney. “But we should apply the precautionary
principle when it comes to the health risks.
“And even if
no evidence emerges about these risks, it is time for the agriculture industry
to diversify our herbicides away from relying on a single chemical.”
no evidence emerges about these risks, it is time for the agriculture industry
to diversify our herbicides away from relying on a single chemical.”
Lead author
of the paper is Associate Professor Federico Maggi from the Sydney Institute of
Agriculture and Faculty of Engineering. He said: “Glyphosate
is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. About 36 million square kilometres
are treated with 600 to 750 thousand tonnes every year – and residues are found
even in remote areas.”
of the paper is Associate Professor Federico Maggi from the Sydney Institute of
Agriculture and Faculty of Engineering. He said: “Glyphosate
is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. About 36 million square kilometres
are treated with 600 to 750 thousand tonnes every year – and residues are found
even in remote areas.”
The
paper identifies hotspots of glyphosate residue in Western Europe, Brazil and
Argentina, as well as parts of China and Indonesia. Contamination refers to
concentration levels above the background level.
paper identifies hotspots of glyphosate residue in Western Europe, Brazil and
Argentina, as well as parts of China and Indonesia. Contamination refers to
concentration levels above the background level.
“Our
analysis shows that Australia is not a hotspot of glyphosate contamination, but
some regions are subject to some contamination hazard in NSW and QLD and, to a
lesser extent, in all other mainland states,” Associate Professor Maggi said.
analysis shows that Australia is not a hotspot of glyphosate contamination, but
some regions are subject to some contamination hazard in NSW and QLD and, to a
lesser extent, in all other mainland states,” Associate Professor Maggi said.
He
said that given the widespread use of the herbicide, soil contamination is
unpreventable. This is because it is hard to be degraded by soil microorganisms
when it reaches pristine environments, or it releases a highly persistent
contaminant called aminomethyl-phosphonic acid (AMPA) when it is degraded.
said that given the widespread use of the herbicide, soil contamination is
unpreventable. This is because it is hard to be degraded by soil microorganisms
when it reaches pristine environments, or it releases a highly persistent
contaminant called aminomethyl-phosphonic acid (AMPA) when it is degraded.
The
researchers emphasise that contamination levels do not necessarily equate to
any environmental or health risks as these are still unknown and require
further study.
researchers emphasise that contamination levels do not necessarily equate to
any environmental or health risks as these are still unknown and require
further study.
“Our
recent environmental hazard analysis considers four modes of environmental
contamination by glyphosate and AMPA – biodegradation recalcitrance, residues
accumulation in soil, leaching and persistence,” Associate Professor Maggi
said.
recent environmental hazard analysis considers four modes of environmental
contamination by glyphosate and AMPA – biodegradation recalcitrance, residues
accumulation in soil, leaching and persistence,” Associate Professor Maggi
said.
“We
found that 1 percent of global croplands – about 385,000 square kilometres –
has a mid- to high-contamination hazard.”
found that 1 percent of global croplands – about 385,000 square kilometres –
has a mid- to high-contamination hazard.”
He
said that contamination is pervasive globally, but is highest in South America,
Europe and East and South Asia. It is mostly correlated to the cultivation of
soybean and corn, and is mainly caused by AMPA recalcitrance and accumulation
rather than glyphosate itself.
said that contamination is pervasive globally, but is highest in South America,
Europe and East and South Asia. It is mostly correlated to the cultivation of
soybean and corn, and is mainly caused by AMPA recalcitrance and accumulation
rather than glyphosate itself.
“While
there are controversial perspectives on the safety of glyphosate use on human
health, little is known about AMPA’s toxicity and potential impacts on
biodiversity, soil function and environmental health. Much further study is
required,” Associate Professor Maggi said.
there are controversial perspectives on the safety of glyphosate use on human
health, little is known about AMPA’s toxicity and potential impacts on
biodiversity, soil function and environmental health. Much further study is
required,” Associate Professor Maggi said.
Professor
McBratney said aside from the risks to human health, it is poor long-term
agriculture policy to rely on glyphosate as a herbicide.
McBratney said aside from the risks to human health, it is poor long-term
agriculture policy to rely on glyphosate as a herbicide.
“Weeds
are genetically adapting and building resistance to glyphosate,” he said. “And
there is growing evidence that a new generation of precision herbicide
application could further improve yields.”
are genetically adapting and building resistance to glyphosate,” he said. “And
there is growing evidence that a new generation of precision herbicide
application could further improve yields.”
Professor
McBratney said Australia was well placed to economically benefit from the
development of new herbicides.
McBratney said Australia was well placed to economically benefit from the
development of new herbicides.
“In
these times of increasing food demand, relying on a single molecule to sustain
the world’s baseload crop production puts us in a very precarious position,” he
said. “We urgently need to find alternatives to glyphosate to control weeds in
agriculture.”
these times of increasing food demand, relying on a single molecule to sustain
the world’s baseload crop production puts us in a very precarious position,” he
said. “We urgently need to find alternatives to glyphosate to control weeds in
agriculture.”