The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued its final health-based guidance on glyphosate. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that controls broadleaf weeds, grasses, and aquatic plants. Glyphosate is sold under several different trade names, including products sold for home use. It is applied in agriculture, forestry, lawn care, and gardening.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) regularly monitors groundwater and surface water for glyphosate. It is frequently detected at low levels in both urban and rural surface waters. In 2016, the highest level detected in surface water was 42.8 micrograms per liter (μg/L)*. MDA’s groundwater monitoring efforts have not yet detected glyphosate in groundwater. Since 1993, glyphosate has only been detected four times in Minnesota public drinking water systems, at levels that range from 1.1 to 39 μg/L
Glyphosate has been under review by MDH. Based on available information, MDH developed a guidance value of 500 ppb for glyphosate in drinking water. Glyphosate is a primary drinking water contaminant of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and has a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of 700 ppb.