Review of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide and Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA): Environmental and Health Impacts

Abstract: The use of synthetic molecules to achieve specific goals is steadily increasing in the environment, and these molecules pose adverse impacts on human health and ecosystem services. Considering the adverse effects, a better understanding of how these molecules behave in the environment and their associated risks is necessary so that their use can be controlled to an acceptable limit. To meet the demands of farmers and combat weed problem, woodlands and farmlands are sprayed with agrochemicals, primarily herbicides. These herbicides containing glyphosate are increasingly embraced by farmers. Glyphosate and its main metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), have been reported as toxicological concerns due to their accumulation in the food chain. The chemical glyphosate has been linked to a number of health problems in both humans and other living organisms, including endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphomas, liver, heart, and blood problems. Therefore, the goal of the current review is to compile data on glyphosate-based herbicide use in the environment, potential risks to human and ecological health, together with various maximum residual limits for agricultural crops as suggested by international organizations. As a result, regulatory agencies can advise glyphosate users on safe usage practices going forward and synthesize herbicides more efficiently.