Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Glyphosate
Quick answer
Classified as Group 2A — probably carcinogenic, based on limited evidence in humans, alongside stronger evidence in animals. On skin and breathed. The active ingredient in many commercial and consumer weedkillers. Highest exposure is agricultural; home gardeners and landscapers also use it.
Summary
The active ingredient in many weedkillers. IARC classifies as probably carcinogenic; other agencies disagree.
Detail
IARC classifies glyphosate as Group 2A with limited evidence for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and strong mechanistic data. Other regulators (EPA, EFSA) have reached different conclusions. The classification reflects evidence of carcinogenic potential and remains scientifically debated.
What's not established
This classification reflects limited evidence in humans, usually together with sufficient evidence in animals. It does not establish how strong the human evidence would look on its own, a safe exposure threshold, or your personal risk from a given level of exposure.
Regional relevance
global
Documented in these products
Presence in a product category doesn't imply the product causes cancer. Click each to see the source and context.
Evidence sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these. Click through to read the primary document yourself.
Primary sources
IARC
IARC Monographs — Classifications by Cancer Site, Vols 1–140
Supporting sources
ACS
ACS — Known and Probable Human Carcinogens
EPA
US EPA — Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) carcinogen assessments
NTP
NTP — Report on Carcinogens (US National Toxicology Program)
Last reviewed: October 2026
Official reference list
A government list some readers use alongside the primary evidence. Meyron is not affiliated with it. A chemical being listed does not by itself describe a risk from any particular product.
- California Prop 65 list
State of California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.