Human ocular effects from self-reported exposures to Roundup herbicides.
J F Acquavella1, J A Weber, M R Cullen
1Monsanto Company/A2NH, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, USA.
Human & Experimental Toxicology
|August 26, 1999
Summary
Human exposure to Roundup herbicides rarely causes serious eye injury. Most reported cases to poison control centers resulted in no or only temporary minor symptoms, with no permanent vision damage observed.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Ophthalmology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Roundup, are widely used globally.
- Concerns exist regarding potential health effects from herbicide exposure.
- Ocular exposure is a common route for accidental herbicide contact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the ocular effects of human exposures to Roundup herbicides.
- To assess the severity and duration of eye injuries from Roundup exposure.
- To determine if permanent ocular damage occurs following Roundup exposure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1513 human exposure calls to a regional poison control center from 1993-1997.
- Classification of ocular injury severity and resolution by poison center specialists.
- Retrospective review of case data regarding symptoms and recovery.
Main Results:
- The majority of exposures (21%) resulted in no injury.
- Transient, minor symptoms were reported in 70% of cases.
- Temporary injury occurred in 2% of cases, with one case resolving in over 2 weeks; no permanent ocular damage was observed.
Conclusions:
- Based on poison control center data, Roundup herbicide exposure is unlikely to cause serious or permanent ocular injury.
- While most exposures cause minimal or transient effects, the representativeness of such calls remains a consideration.
- Severe ocular effects from Roundup exposure appear to be rare in the general user population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...