Glyphosate in Drinking Water
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, known to increase cancer risk and disrupt hormones. In this article, we’ll cover what Glyphosate is, what it’s health effects are, how to test for it, and what to do if you test positive for Glyphosate.
Glyphosate in Drinking Water at a Glance:
Health Effects: Potential endocrine disruption, cancer risk, developmental issues.
MCL: 700 ppb
In-Lab Test: Safe Home Glyphosate in Water Test Kit (We Test In Lab)
DIY Test: Safe Home Glyphosate in Water Test Kit (In-Lab)
Treatment: Filtration systems like Carbon Filter or Reverse Osmosis
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, primarily known as the active ingredient in Roundup. It is applied in agriculture, forestry, and residential weed control. Because of how widely it was used in agriculture and manufacturing, glyphosate is commonly found in water supplies.
How does Glyphosate get into my drinking water?
Glyphosate enters drinking water supplies through agricultural runoff, improper disposal, and soil leaching. Rainfall and irrigation can carry glyphosate from treated fields into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, eventually reaching the public water supply.
Negative Effects of Glyphosate in drinking water
Long-term exposure to glyphosate has been linked to potential endocrine disruption, developmental issues, and cancer risks. Some studies suggest that glyphosate may interfere with hormonal balance and affect the gut microbiome.
What level of Glyphosate in drinking water is dangerous?
The EPA has set the Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) for glyphosate at 700 ppb. This is the highest amount allowed in drinking water based on public health standards and treatment feasibility. Some locations enforce stricter limits due to concerns about long-term exposure risks.
How to Test for Glyphosate in Drinking Water
To test for glyphosate in water, we recommend the In-Lab Safe Home Glyphosate in Drinking Water Test Kit. This kit allows you to collect a sample at home and have it analyzed at our EPA-certified laboratory for accurate results.
Another alternative is DIY Glyphosate in drinking water test kit. This kit will allow you to test either water, soil, or produce for Glyphosate down to 200 ppb in just 5 minutes. This will not give you exact concentrations like the In-Lab Test Kit, simply a presence or absence of Glyphosate.
What to do if your Glyphosate Levels are too High
If your Glyphosate levels are too high, you will need a filter rated for Glyphosate like a reverse osmosis filter. This could be a point of use filter for any water used for consumption.
A more comprehensive solution would be a whole house filtration system. These will be more expensive but will eliminate the contamination before it gets into the home. Meaning you will not need to worry about which faucets are used for drinking, cooking, or for your pet’s water.
If you do have high levels of Glyphosate in your drinking water, you will need to temporarily switch to an alternative water source like bottled water until you can resolve the issue.
