Product Name: Glyphosate
Chemical Name: N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine
Common Names/Synonyms: Roundup, Gly Star, Rodeo
Recommended Use: Non-selective herbicide for agricultural, horticultural, and domestic weed control
CAS Number: 1071-83-6
Manufacturer Information: Usually available through agrochemical suppliers and listed on labels of commercial products
Emergency Contact: Refer to the local poison control center or the manufacturer's safety hotline
GHS Classification: Eye damage/irritation, Category 2; Skin irritation, Category 2; Specific target organ toxicity—single exposure, Category 3
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes moderate eye irritation; May cause mild skin irritation; Prolonged inhalation might cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, clothing, eye, and face protection; do not breathe spray
Other Hazards: No acute toxicity for most forms; surfactants in commercial formulations may increase hazard profile
Main Ingredient: Glyphosate isopropylamine salt (typically 41% by weight in concentrates)
Other Ingredients: Water, proprietary surfactants to help with leaf absorption, and inert additives
Impurities: May contain trace levels of N-nitrosoglyphosate, a possible impurity from the manufacturing process
Proportion: Active ingredient concentration depends on formulation; always check the label for exact percentages
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep victim comfortable, seek medical attention if cough or difficulty breathing occurs
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical advice if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Hold eyelids open and rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, get medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, avoid inducing vomiting, call poison control center or doctor for advice
General Advice: Have product label or MSDS available when seeking medical advice
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water jet directly on product spill as it may spread the chemical
Specific Hazards: Containers may burst in heat, thermal decomposition may release oxides of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon
Protective Equipment: Use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Special Procedures: Prevent run-off to drains and waterways, contain firewater for later disposal
Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate protective equipment to avoid skin and eye contact, avoid inhaling dust, vapor or spray
Methods for Cleaning Up: For small spills, absorb with sand, earth, or inert absorbent; collect in suitable containers for disposal; flush area with water
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, and soil; report to authorities if contamination occurs
Emergency Measures: Isolate area, restrict access until cleanup is complete
Precautions for Safe Handling: Always wear protective gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing when handling concentrate; mix only in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling mists or vapors
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed original containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from food, animal feed, and water sources
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents, acids, and bases
Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product, keep away from children and pets
Engineering Controls: Provide mechanical ventilation or local exhaust to minimize exposure to vapors or mists
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits for glyphosate; consult country-specific regulations
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves (nitrile or chemical resistant), long-sleeved clothing, safety goggles or face shield, and, if risk of inhalation exists, use an approved respirator
Environmental Controls: Prevent spills from entering drains or watercourses
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid (commercial concentrate); white to off-white crystalline powder (pure form)
Odor: Slight, ammonia-like
Boiling Point: Not applicable for solid; solution: approximately 100°C (water-based)
Melting Point: 184°C (pure glyphosate)
Solubility in Water: Highly soluble
pH (1% solution): 4 to 5
Flash Point: Not flammable
Density: 1.16 – 1.22 g/cm³ (typical range for solution)
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of storage and use
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, ignition sources, freezing of solution form
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizers, reactive metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition may release carbon monoxide, phosphorus oxides, nitrogen oxides
Reactivity: Glyphosate does not easily react but surfactants in some mixes may be more sensitive
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): ~5,600 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): >5,000 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4h): >5 mg/l
Skin Irritation: May cause mild irritation with prolonged contact
Eye Irritation: Moderate irritant
Chronic Effects: Some animal studies link long-term, high-level exposure to liver and kidney effects; IARC has classified glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic’ (Group 2A)
Other Health Effects: No evidence of mutagenicity under normal conditions; commercial surfactants may increase local irritation
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Harmful to aquatic plants and invertebrates, fish LC50 (96h): 5-50 mg/l (depends on formulation and species); surfactants in formulations can increase toxicity
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down in soil within days to weeks, microbial action degrades chemical
Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Moderate, binds strongly to soil particles, unlikely to leach significantly under normal use
Product Disposal: Dispose of unused material at approved facilities according to local and national regulations
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse containers and recycle where possible, or puncture and dispose of containers safely
Environmental Impact: Do not allow the product to reach sewage systems or natural water sources; improper disposal may result in contamination of soil, water, or drainage
Special Advice: Follow label instructions and consult relevant authorities for regional disposal practices
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Glyphosate solution (if in solution form)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant under international transport regulations
Transport Precautions: Keep containers tightly sealed, upright, and secure during transport; avoid dropping or stacking heavy objects on containers
Regulatory Status: Registered for use in most countries under national pesticide legislation
Hazard Symbol: Exclamation mark (for irritant effects)
Labelling Requirements: Signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, product name, supplier identification per local regulations
Occupational Safety: Many jurisdictions require training for professional users and may restrict access or set re-entry intervals for treated areas
Restrictions: Vary by country, some jurisdictions impose additional restrictions based on local environmental or health concerns
Reference: Check agricultural regulatory agencies or health and safety authorities for most current guidelines
