Is Roundup Safe? It Might Be More Toxic Than Ever

Pesticides

Despite Monsanto’s pledge to remove glyphosate from its products by 2023, a new report finds Roundup products on U.S. shelves may still contain glyphosate—and the replacement chemicals could be even more dangerous.

The findings by Friends of the Earth (FOE) raise troubling questions about both the old and new formulas used by Monsanto to make Roundup—and what they mean for human health and the environment.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide and has been the key ingredient in Roundup since the 1970s. It works by blocking an enzyme plants need to grow, making it highly effective against weeds.

But Roundup’s safety has been under scrutiny for years. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Research has linked glyphosate exposure to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. It has also been linked to pregnancy complications, including low birth weight.

The controversy has sparked thousands of lawsuits by individuals who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after using Roundup, leading Bayer and Monsanto to agree to multibillion-dollar settlements.

New Roundup Ingredients, New Concerns

According to FOE’s analysis of Roundup products sold at U.S. retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot in 2024, not all products are free of glyphosate. Even more concerning, the reformulated versions now include four different active ingredients—diquat dibromide, fluazifop-P-butyl, triclopyr, and imazapic.

These chemicals, FOE reports, can be up to 45 times more toxic than glyphosate. Diquat dibromide, for example, is 200 times more chronically toxic and is classified as highly hazardous. Both diquat dibromide and imazapic are banned in the European Union.

The new cocktail of hazardous and toxic materials has been linked to a range of serious health issues, including:

  • Reproductive and developmental problems
  • Liver and kidney damage
  • Allergic reactions affecting skin, eyes, and respiratory systems

Beyond Human Health: Environmental Risks

The FOE study also highlights broader ecological impacts. The new Roundup formulations appear to be even more harmful to bees, birds, fish, earthworms, and other wildlife. These chemicals persist longer in soil and are more likely to leach into water systems, compounding the environmental toll.

This means the question isn’t just “Is Roundup safe for people?” but also “What damage is being done to the ecosystems we all depend on?”

What Can You Do?

If you use Roundup or other lawn herbicides, here are some key steps:

  • Check ingredient labels carefully. Many assume “Roundup” means glyphosate, but that assumption may no longer hold.
  • Seek alternatives: Safer, non-toxic or organic weed-control options are increasingly available. Also encourage food producers and other farms to switch to lower-impact, less-toxic alternatives and tactics for pest and weed control.
  • Support stronger regulation: FOE urges the EPA to require clear warnings and possibly mandate new branding for reformulated products to prevent misleading consumers.

The phase-out of glyphosate was supposed to be progress. But according to Friends of the Earth, the chemicals replacing it may pose even greater risks—to people, pets, and the planet. These findings underscore the urgent need for transparency, stricter regulation, and safer alternatives.

How We Help Victims of Pesticides

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