Abstract |
Glyphosate is the common name for N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. No published reports were found on the toxicokinetics of glyphosate. Other available data, although inadequate, indicated that glyphosate is rapidly absorbed by test animals, and that over 90% is excreted within 48 hours. Very few data on the health effects of glyphosate in mammals were found in the open literature, and most information on the toxicity of this compound has been provided by the Monsanto Company. Oral LD50 values have been reported in two different studies to be 4,873 and 5,600 mg/kg in rats. The oral LD50 has been reported to be 1,568 mg/kg in mice. The dermal LD50 in rabbits was estimated to be more than 5,000 mg/kg. Hyperemia of the lungs has been reported to be the most prominent effect following glyphosate poisoning, with severe stress, accelerated breathing, elevated temperature, occasional convulsive movements, and rigor preceding death. |