Part 1
Glyphosate Health and Safety
Glyphosate is the active ingredient found in numerous herbicides including Roundup, one of the products the agronomy team will utilize to eradicate the existing bermudagrass at Olde Florida. Since its introduction in 1974, glyphosate products have become one of the most commonly used herbicides in the U.S. The widespread adoption is the result of glyphosate’s ability to control a broad spectrum of weeds, its extensive economic and environmental benefits and its strong safety profile.
Glyphosate works by inhibiting an enzyme present in plants that people and animals do not produce. Glyphosate exhibits low toxicity to humans and non-plant wildlife over both short and long-term exposures. In the environment, glyphosate binds tightly to soil, degrades over time and does not accumulate in the food chain.
Glyphosate is among the most extensively tested pesticides on the market. Most recently, in January 2020, the U.S. EPA published its Registration Review Decision on Glyphosate and stated “EPA has thoroughly evaluated potential human health risk associated with exposure to glyphosate and determined that there are no risks to human health from the current registered uses of glyphosate and that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”
The EPA’s latest decision on glyphosate adds to the overwhelming consensus among leading expert health regulators worldwide for more than 40 years that the products can be used safely, and that glyphosate does not cause cancer. In addition to the U.S. EPA, leading health authorities from around the world continue to conclude that glyphosate-based products are safe when used as directed and that glyphosate does not pose a carcinogenic risk.
As with any pesticide utilized at Olde Florida, the agronomy team will follow all label instructions and safety precautions explicitly when applying the Roundup, and the other products being utilized during the renovation project. The label does specify, "Keep people and pets off treated areas until spray solution has dried." Therefore, the golf course will remain closed on the day of application. For a complete Roundup label please click here.
More detailed information on scientific studies associated with glyphosate can be found in the links below:
US EPA: Releases Risk Assesments for Glyphosate
US FDA: Questions and Answers on Glyphosate
National Pesticide Information Center: Glyphosate Fact Sheet
In addition, for a very thorough and informative YouTube video prepared by the University of Florida on the controversy over the use of Glyphosate please click here: Glyphosate: Understanding the Controversy
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