phd in analytical chemistry in germany

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Language requirements, program features.

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3228 Study programs

Study Analytical Chemistry in Germany: 11 Universities with 11 English Degree Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2024/2025).

Analytical Chemistry is the study of the chemical composition of natural and artificial materials. This field encompasses a variety of techniques and instruments used to identify and quantify matter. Topics covered include spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry. Students learn to perform precise experiments to analyze substances, improve instrumentation, and interpret data critically. A degree in Analytical Chemistry leads to careers in forensic science, environmental testing, pharmaceuticals, and quality control in manufacturing industries. It equips students with the skills to ensure the safety and effectiveness of chemical products and processes.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (9 programs for EU citizens/Non-EU)

€ 4,920 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between April 15 and September 01

Summer Semester

between July 15 and September 01

Top-ranked German Universities in Analytical Chemistry

public University

No. of Students: approx. 27,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 9,600 students

Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for analytical chemistry in germany.

Justus Liebig University Giessen Giessen

Sustainable chemistry.

TU Bergakademie Freiberg Freiberg

Advanced materials analysis.

University of Göttingen Göttingen

Chemistry [english & german track].

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Summer Semester 2025

Winter Semester 2025/2026

Open Programs

11 programs

Application Modes

Application process, chemistry [english track].

Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences Idstein

Bioanalytical chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis - part time.

Philipps-Universität Marburg Marburg

Molecular biotechnology (mbt).

TOEFL Scores

Cambridge Levels

5.5 (2 programs )

72 (1 program )

B2 First (FCE) (2 programs )

7 (2 programs )

95 (2 programs )

C2 Proficiency (CPE) (1 program )

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz / TU Darmstadt Mainz / Darmstadt

Soft matter and materials.

Bioanalytical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis - Full Time

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Rheinbach

Applied biology.

2-6 semesters

→ View all programs with online courses

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

Winter intake

Summer intake

Winter & Summer intake

List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Analytical Chemistry

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg

Program Fees: € 0

B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)

Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences

Program Fees: € 3,120 - € 4,920

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Justus Liebig University Giessen

Leuphana University Lüneburg

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Chemistry (Ph.D.)

• Application

The doctoral programme in Chemistry combines the highest scientific level and specialised teaching with attractive, modern research questions. The research foci of the Göttingen Faculty of Chemistry are in the field of "Functional Biomolecular Chemistry", "Sustainable Chemistry" and "Analytical Methods for Molecular Interaction". This opens up a wide range of possible questions for your doctoral thesis.

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In the doctoral programme, doctoral candidates work on their research question in depth under the guidance of a team of experienced professors. At the same time, they continue their education in special lectures, at conferences, etc. and present their research results there. Doctoral students benefit in a special way from the faculty's modern pool of large-scale equipment as well as the close networking of chemistry with neighbouring faculties and the Max Planck Institutes on the Göttingen Campus.

The doctoral programme ends with the submission of the doctoral thesis and the oral defense.

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• Current and older versions

Previous studies

• Confirmation of supervision by a supervisor in the doctoral programme in chemistry for the doctoral project
• Relevant consecutive Master's degree programme (at least 1year standard period of study) and a total period of study of at least 4 years
• Subject-related relevance: 110 ECTS in the field of mathematics and natural sciences

Language requirements

• If your native language or the language of your Bachelor's programme is not German , you must prove sufficient knowledge of the German language at the level DSH-2 or comparable.
• If your native language or the language of your Bachelor's degree programme is not English , you must prove sufficient knowledge of the English language at the level C1 GER .

Academic Advising

Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Chemistry

Tammannstr. 4 37077 Göttingen

Phone: +49-551 39 21810 [email protected]

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Found 3 jobs

Postdoctoral scientist in radiopharmaceutical development – radiochemist / radiopharmacist.

• Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg (DE)
• German Cancer Research Center in the Helmholtz Association (DKFZ)

The ideal candidate is expected to pursue a highly innovative project at the frontiers of interdisciplinary cancer research.

View details Postdoctoral Scientist in Radiopharmaceutical Development – Radiochemist / Radiopharmacist

• Save Postdoctoral Scientist in Radiopharmaceutical Development – Radiochemist / Radiopharmacist You need to sign in or create an account to save

PhD (m/f/x) on Collective Dynamics of Living Neuronal Networks

• Göttingen (Stadt), Niedersachsen (DE)
• Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS)

For the Max Planck Research Group of Viola Priesemann we seek a PhD (m/f/x) on Collective Dynamics of Living Neuronal Networks.

View details PhD (m/f/x) on Collective Dynamics of Living Neuronal Networks

• 47 days ago
• Save PhD (m/f/x) on Collective Dynamics of Living Neuronal Networks You need to sign in or create an account to save

17 PhD candidates

• various locations across Europe
• gross/month: 3400€ (adjusted by country) + 600€ / 600€* mobility/family allowance (*if applicable)
• Technical University Darmstadt - MC4DD

17 Doctoral Candidate positions as part of the EU Doctoral Network MC4DD in the fields of organic, medicinal, pharmaceutical, computational chemistry

View details 17 PhD candidates

• 7 days left
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Higher Education Compass

Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry full time, master of science.

Master Degree

3 semesters

Standard period of study (amount)

December 2024 (Germans and inhabitants)

December 2024 (EU), December 2024 (Non-EU)

Overview and admission

Admission semester.

Summer and Winter Semester

Area of study

Target group.

The Master's course is aimed at graduates in chemistry or a related subject.

Admission modus

Local admission restriction

Admission requirements (Link)

Admission requirements

Above-average degree (usually with a grade of at least 2.4) and with at least 210 ECTS credits. Bachelor graduates with 180 ECTS credits can make up the missing 30 ECTS credits during the Master's programme. Please refer to the respective Articles of Admission for full details of admission requirements.

Lecture period

• 01.03.2024 - 31.08.2024
• 01.09.2024 - 28.02.2025

Application deadlines

Winter semester (2024/2025), deadlines for international students from the european union.

15.04.2025 - 15.06.2025

Deadlines for international students from countries that are not members of the European Union

Application deadline for germans and inhabitants, enrollment deadline for germans and foreign students.

15.07.2025 (Universitywide deadline)

as per letter of acceptance

Summer semester (2024)

15.10.2024 - 15.12.2024

Languages of instruction

Main language, further languages.

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst e.V. Kennedyallee 50 53175 Bonn

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159 chemistry-phd positions in Germany

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PhD in the field of Materials Chemistry : Functionalizing Medical Silks

Are you someone with a passion for science and who enjoys working across scientific interfaces? Are you ambitious, self-motivated with the skills to develop new ideas and utilise chemistry to

PhD position in the Marine Chemistry Department (f/m/d)

The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) has a fixed-term vacancy starting on 01.10.2024 PhD position in the Marine Chemistry Department (f/m/d) for a period of 3 years and a

Ph.D. student (m, w, div, n.a.) for biomass-burning atmospheric chemistry studies

Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD) is among the leading atmospheric chemistry research groups. The Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD) is looking for a motivated PhD student to work on a Leibniz Science

PhD student (f/m/d) on fluorescent protein engineering for optoelectronics

to scientific excellence. Master's Degree/(10 semester diploma) in Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Chemistry / Materials Science or related disciplines. Team skills and enthusiasm for working in a multidisciplinary

PhD or Post-doc (f/m/d) on engineering living materials for lighting

motivation and commitment to scientific excellence. Master's degree (10 semesters) and/or PhD in  biochemistry/ biotechnology/ chemistry / materials science or related disciplines. Team skills and enthusiasm

Post-doc (f/m/d) on biopolymers for optoelectronics

functional energy-related devices, advancing the field of green photonics. Qualifications: High motivation and commitment to scientific excellence. Master's Degree/(10 semester diploma) and PhD in

PhD or Post-doc (f/m/d) on fluorescent protein-polymer photon manipulation components for lighting

the stabilization and degradation processes. Qualification: High motivation and commitment to scientific excellence. Master's degree (10 semesters) and/or PhD in biochemistry/ biotechnology/ chemistry /materials

Postdoc - High-energy X-ray diffraction of catalytic interfaces for chemical hydrogen storage (f/m/d)

proposals Support in establishing the institute Your Profile: Master`s degree with PhD in physics, chemistry , materials science, chemical engineering, or related disciplines Fundamental knowledge in

Scientist (m, f, div, n.a.) for the implementation of atmospheric observatories

: PhD degree in discipline of the natural sciences, e.g. chemistry , physics or meteorology Knowledge and experience in online mass spectrometry (AMS, ACSM, PTR-MS, CIMs) and field campaigns Knowledge and

Technical Assistant (CTA) (m/f/d) | Applied chemistry and battery research

of Cellular Biophysics (Prof. Dr. Joachim P. Spatz) is looking for a Technical Assistant (CTA) (m/f/d) in the fields of applied chemistry & battery research. Your tasks direct collaboration with PhD students

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• Study in Germany /

PhD in Chemistry in Germany: A Comprehensive Guide 2023

• Updated on  
• Aug 7, 2024

PhD in Chemistry in Germany: The renowned (and highly-rated) universities in Germany present an exceptional option for international education. With a history of offering PhD programs since the nineteenth century, these institutions possess valuable experience in delivering advanced and innovative postgraduate studies. Furthermore, the majority of universities do not impose tuition fees.

Pursuing a PhD in Chemistry in Germany can be a viable option because of the advanced level of education it offers. 

Chemistry programs educate students on the core principles of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, alongside Physical Chemistry. Additional courses delve into Chemical Biology and Nuclear Chemistry. Practical learning occurs through hands-on experiments in laboratories, where students dissect chemical reactions, delve into research techniques, and assess their outcomes. 

Upon completion, graduates secure positions such as analytical chemists , chemical engineers , pharmacologists , and various other roles. Keep reading to know why pursuing PhD in Chemistry in Germany is a great option. 

This Blog Includes:

Global ranking of institutions , max planck schools, affordability , birthplace of the phd, top universities, eligibility , application process, required documents , job opportunities , qs world university rankings 2025, why pursue a phd in chemistry in germany .

Germany stands as a highly appealing location for individuals worldwide. Its outstanding academic rigour, robust economy, and significant advancements in engineering render German universities a compelling addition to your study-abroad considerations. 

Foreign students are embraced on an equal footing and enjoy equitable social policies. A remarkable perk is the widespread absence of tuition fees at nearly all public universities for international students. 

Additionally, you’ll have the chance to acquire the German language, a valuable asset that can open doors to employment opportunities not only within Germany but also in Austria , Belgium , Liechtenstein, and numerous global corporations.

Here are some of the top reasons why you should pursue PhD in Chemistry in Germany: 

Germany boasts a larger number of globally ranked institutions than any other country besides the USA and the UK. Alongside its universities, Germany houses networks of specialized research centres. 

This includes the esteemed Max Planck Institutes, as well as collaborative endeavours between universities and research institutes. 

The Max Planck Schools form a collaborative network that assembles experts from various institutions to address shared research objectives. They unite international PhD students with Germany’s foremost scientists. 

The majority of German universities do not require PhD students to pay tuition fees, regardless of their nationality. 

The modern form of the PhD centred around a research-based thesis originated in Germany. 

Also Read: Study in Germany: The Guide To Your German Dream!

Germany is home to various renowned institutes that provide PhD programs with little to no tuition fees. Have a look at some of the best universities for PhD in Chemistry in Germany: 

Also Read: MS in Chemical Engineering in Germany

The cost of pursuing a PhD in Germany is around EUR 800 to EUR 900 annually. Nevertheless, doctoral programs at public universities in Germany are tuition-free, a policy that encompasses all individuals, including international students. 

Many German research institutes collaborate with universities to offer PhD programs (with universities conferring the degrees), and these institutes do not impose extra charges for hosting students. Various sources, including government agencies, research associations, and other entities, offer funding opportunities.

Also Read: MSc Applied Chemistry

Before you apply for admission to your desired university, make sure that you fulfil the eligibility criteria. 

Here are the requirements you need to fulfil to be deemed eligible for the PhD in Chemistry at a university in Germany : 

• The basic prerequisites for enrolling in a PhD program in Germany entail holding both a master’s and bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, with a GPA exceeding the average (80%). 
• Attaining a PhD necessitates possessing a higher education qualification equivalent to a German Master’s Degree.
• The student should have achieved a score surpassing 7.0 in either the International Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of Efficiency in Foreign Language (TOEFL). 
• Gaining admission to a PhD program in Germany mandates the timely submission of all necessary documents. 
• While the majority of programs are conducted in English, a few may demand proficiency in German, such as achieving DSH-2 or obtaining the Goethe certificate C2 – the Advanced German Language Diploma.

Also Read: Chemical Engineering Jobs

Although the admission procedures can exhibit slight variations among different universities, the overarching process remains consistent. Thus, a comprehensive outline for the admission process at German universities is as follows:

Stage 1: Visit the official website of your preferred institution and initiate your application when the registration phase commences.

Stage 2: Ensure that you have the necessary documents readily available for potential submission during the admission procedure.

Stage 3: Submit the outcomes of obligatory examinations such as IELTS and TOEFL.

Stage 4: Complete the application form, remit the application fee, and finalize the submission process.

Must Read: Top Chemical Engineering Colleges

There are certain documents that you need to submit during the admission process. Make sure that the mandatory documents are available with you to avoid any hurdles in the process. 

The documents required to apply for a PhD in Chemistry in Germany include:

• English proficiency test,
• Motivational letter
• German Language Proficiency (not mandatory, but can be asked somewhere),
• Recognized Master’s degree,
• Proof of sufficient funds,
• Proof of health insurance
• A letter of acceptance from your university 
• A doctoral thesis outline

Must Read: Career in Medicinal Chemistry

Upon finalizing a Chemistry PhD program in Germany , individuals find employment with numerous leading enterprises, including Baker Hughes, BI Pharma GmbH Co.KG, Döhler, Nuvisan GmbH, and others. 

Alternatively, they can pursue roles in academia. However, it’s worth noting that opportunities within industries generally present more favourable outlooks than those in the academic realm. The salary for PhD holders in Germany fluctuates based on the discipline and job category. On average, a PhD holder in Chemistry in Germany earns around €63,000 annually.

Must Read: MSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry

In 2025, the QS World University Rankings continue to highlight the top institutions globally, providing valuable insights for students and educators alike.

What are the prerequisites for admission to a Chemistry PhD program in Germany?

When applying for a Chemistry PhD program in Germany, the typical requirements encompass a pertinent master’s degree, a commendable academic track record, and proficiency in English (often validated through IELTS or TOEFL scores). Certain programs might also mandate proficiency in the German language.

Are English-language PhD programs common in Germany?

Certainly, a multitude of PhD programs in Germany, particularly in Chemistry, are conducted in English. However, verifying the language prerequisites of the specific programs you’re considering is recommended.

Can one shift into employment in Germany following PhD completion?

Indeed, Germany provides a job-seeking visa enabling an 18-month stay post-Ph.D. to search for a fitting job aligned with your expertise.

How long does it take to complete a PhD in chemistry in Germany?

Typically, finishing a PhD in chemistry in Germany takes about 3 to 3.5 years. However, the exact duration can vary depending on your research topic, advisor, funding, and how well you plan your work.

So, this was all about the PhD in Chemistry in Germany. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you are also planning to study abroad . 

Abhishek Kumar Jha

Abhishek Kumar Jha is a professional content writer and marketer, having extensive experience in delivering content in journalism and marketing. He has written news content related to education for prominent media outlets, garnering expansive knowledge of the Indian education landscape throughout his experience. Moreover, he is a skilled content marketer, with experience in writing SEO-friendly blogs. His educational background includes a Postgraduate Diploma in English Journalism from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal. By receiving an education from a top journalism school and working in the corporate world with complete devotion, he has honed the essential skills needed to excel in content writing.

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Chemistry (PhD)

Engage in outstanding research in every area of chemistry.

Why choose this program?

Join an enthusiastic department with an international reputation and world-class research facilities, including newly renovated research laboratories containing a wide range of highly specialized, state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Advanced training in chemistry can lead to a supervisory position in a lab or research facility, or employment in many other fields.

Possible careers include:

• Pulp and paper research scientist
• Agricultural scientist
• University professor
• Scientific instrument development and service technician
• Metallurgical analyst
• Biotechnologist

Admission requirements

You'll need to meet the  Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum requirements  as well as any program-specific admissions requirements before you can apply.

Financial information

At Dalhousie, we want our students to focus on their studies, rather than worry about their personal finances. We offer competitive tuition rates and funding programs to support graduate students in almost all of our degree programs.

Program options

Thesis : Pursue independent and original research guided by a supervisor to develop and defend your thesis.  

Standard program duration:

5 years or longer

Enrolment options:

Delivery format:.

All graduate programs at Dalhousie are collaboratively delivered by a home Faculty and the  Faculty of Graduate Studies .

Contact an admissions advisor

GRADUATE COORDINATOR

Dr. Peng Zhang

Email:  [email protected]

Phone:  902-494-3323

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While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this page, in the event of a discrepancy,  Dalhousie's Academic Calendars  are the official reference.

Is glyphosate weedkiller a danger to humans, bees and the environment? Addressing 10 controversial claims

Few chemicals are more vilified than the herbicide glyphosate (Jun et al. 2023). Glyphosate, the active ingredient in weed control brands such as Roundup, has been used for decades, mostly without controversy (Duke 2018). Many farmers attribute their farms’ survival to glyphosate. Scientific consensus and fifty years of regulatory scrutiny continue to conclude that glyphosate is a relatively benign chemical, safe for use as directed, and poses next-to-no risk to humans (Solomon 2020). Yet media outlets repeat claims that glyphosate causes everything from autism to cancer to bee extinction. Recently, an article in the prominent medical journal Pediatrics recommended that trace dietary exposures should be avoided by children (Abrams et al. 2024).

Why does a disparity exist between evidence and perception and between experts and “experts”? How do we assess the benefits and any potential risks of glyphosate?

What Is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is a nonselective herbicide; in other words, it kills plant species indiscriminately. John Franz, PhD, of the Monsanto Company characterized its herbicidal activity, first on the market as Roundupin 1974. Today, over 750 glyphosate formulations for weed control are produced by numerous companies globally.

Glyphosate kills plants by interfering with 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), an enzyme essential for production of key amino acids (Duke 2018). Without these amino acids, proteins cannot be synthesized, and the plant dies. All plants have this biochemical pathway, explaining glyphosate’s broad toxicity in plants. Glyphosate has no direct pharmacological effects on animals (including humans), which lack this enzyme. Dozens of international regulatory bodies have therefore recognized glyphosate as a low-toxicity chemical with infinitesimal risk to animals at levels encountered (Genetic Literacy Project 2023).

Why was glyphosate widely adopted? Historically, farmers would plant a field of seeds and used cultivation or other herbicides to control weeds. Soil disruption caused topsoil loss from wind and rain and required labor, fuel, and time. Weed control practices radically changed when scientists invented glyphosate-tolerant (GT) crops—available for public use in 1996. Scientists identified a bacterial EPSPS variant that was not impacted by glyphosate (“glyphosate tolerant” or GT) and transferred this GT-enzyme into corn, soybeans, sugar beets, canola, and alfalfa. These plants then possessed EPSPS unaffected by glyphosate, so weed control could be accomplished with this singular herbicide (Duke and Powles 2008).

Ease of use, broad spectrum weed control, low cost, minimal environmental impacts, and limited risk to applicators made glyphosate an obvious choice to protect crops from weeds that compete for soil resources.

Legitimate Glyphosate Risks

While glyphosate has low acute toxicity to nontarget organisms, like with anything, risks can exist at excessive exposures. The 50 percent lethal dose is less than 5,000 mg/kg body weight (Turkmen and Dogan 2020), meaning a 220-pound person would have to consume less than 500 grams of pure glyphosate to reach that. While rare reports of self-harm from intentional ingestion of glyphosate exist (Lee et al. 2000), it remains an uncommon cause of human toxicity, certainly not via food or farming exposures.

A primary environmental concern is the emergence of glyphosate-tolerant weeds (Perotti et al. 2020). Much like antibiotic overuse selecting for bacteria able to survive those chemicals, weed species have similarly adapted. Over forty-eight weed species have developed mechanisms to survive in the presence of glyphosate since use on genetically engineered crops began in 1996 (Baek et al. 2021). This required companies that produce GT seeds to incorporate additional herbicides in crop management, not ideal when these technologies aim to minimize herbicide use and environmental impact.

Concerns about glyphosate-based herbicide use around aquatic environments are irrespective of glyphosate itself (Tresnakova et al. 2021). Herbicides are applied with a surfactant, a soapy chemical that improves plant tissue penetration. Surfactants break surface tension of water and can themselves pose a risk to microbial communities, insects, and even fish in aquatic ecosystems (Annett et al. 2014; Relyea 2018). Because nontarget plants such as duckweed and other sentinel species may be impacted, glyphosate is restricted around water environments.

When used appropriately with real-world doses, glyphosate poses little risk to the applicator, consumer, or environment as has been demonstrated with over fifty years of use on farm and residential applications.

Glyphosate Exposure in Humans

Human exposure to glyphosate is physiologically insignificant. Claims that insinuate human risk from glyphosate are based on infinitesimal levels detected on foods or in urine (Zoller et al. 2020). This underscores a fundamental challenge when discussing pesticides: detection doesn’t equal harm. Every chemical has a toxicity threshold dependent on dose. Pesticides might be detected in food at levels measurable only by the most sensitive analytical chemistry tools. We can detect levels of substances that are irrelevant to our health, measures in parts per billion or parts per trillion. A part per billion (ppb) equals fifty drops of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool, or one second of time in 31.7 years. A part per trillion (ppt) equals one drop of water in twenty Olympic-size swimming pools, or one second of time in 31,700 years.

Glyphosate exposure levels (maximum residue limits, or MRLs) are set and routinely reevaluated by international agencies to ensure farmer compliance and minimal exposure. For added safety, MRLs are set orders of magnitude below levels that would pose theoretical risks to consumers and account for sensitive populations—children, pregnant women, and those with higher exposure (e.g., farmers) (Winter 2015). The MRL for glyphosate varies by the crop, but ranges from 0.1 to 400 parts per million (ppm) per day (Vicini et al. 2021). Detected levels routinely cited in anti-glyphosate campaigns are far lower than these MRL values.

What levels are humans actually exposed to? The water solubility of glyphosate ensures it is rapidly excreted in urine and stool, making exposure analysis simple. A commonly cited paper in opposition to glyphosate found median glyphosate levels in urine are not only miniscule but nearly identical between people who consume conventional or organic food, 390 ppt versus 400 ppt, respectively (Ospina et al. 2022). A review of the literature reports urine levels ranging from 260 ppt to 73.5 ppb (Gillezeau et al. 2019). For reference, 400 ppm, the highest MRL level of glyphosate, is equal to 40,000 ppb or 400,000,000 ppt.Levels detected in urine are up to a million times lower than the already conservative maximum residue limits, confirming dietary exposure does not pose even a theoretical health risk.

Sensational Unsupported Claims

Glyphosate remains a staple on many farms, so media outlets, activist groups, and even some scientific journals continue to allude to the dangers of crops “doused in Roundup.” In 2012, a credible scientific journal published a paper by G.E. Seralini and coauthors demonstrating that rats fed glyphosate developed tumors. Deeper inspection revealed the authors used a statistically small number of a strain of rats prone to tumor growth, and control rats also developed tumors (Arjó et al. 2013; Sánchez and Parrott 2017). The paper was retracted by the journal, then later appeared in a new journal without changes or additional review in 2014. The European Union sponsored three independent follow-up studies that failed to replicate the original claim (Steinberg et al. 2019; Zeljenková et al. 2016; Coumoul et al. 2019).

Around the same time, an “independent researcher” and an MIT researcher in artificial intelligence published several reviews in low-quality journals with no original research. The reviews contain an incredible cherry-picking and citation bias, selectively using slivers of data from original research that supports the authors’ narrative. One paper, “Glyphosate, Pathways to Modern Diseases II” (Samsel and Seneff 2013) and “Glyphosate, Pathways to Modern Diseases III” (Samsel and Seneff 2015a) suggested glyphosate is the cornerstone of gluten intolerance, infertility, miscarriages, birth defects, kidney failure, cancer, and a spate of other disorders. These claims arise from misinterpretation of correlative data related to glyphosate use and Parkinson’s disease, thyroid cancer, and end-stage renal disease. In a subsequent review, they link glyphosate to autism, chronic fatigue, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and prion disease (Samsel and Seneff 2015b). They posit glyphosate is in vaccines and underlies an increase in autism (Beecham and Seneff 2016), claiming that glyphosate exposure will cause 50 percent of children to be autistic by 2025 (Faria 2015).

The origin of the glyphosate in vaccines claim was Moms Across America, an organic food activist group with a history of publishing false or doctored information. A nonpeer-reviewed online newsletter shows they contracted a laboratory to perform measurements and claimed to have detected glyphosate in vaccines (Honeycutt 2016). They amplified claims made by U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) that glyphosate was in wine, beer (Cook and U.S. PIRG Education Fund 2019) and breast milk (Honeycutt 2014). The problem? The commercial kit used is extremely sensitive but validated for use only with water and urine. Breast milk, vaccines, wine, and beer are complex solutions containing countless molecules that could elicit false positive results. Properly executed follow-up work on breast milk failed to detect glyphosate (McGuire et al. 2016; Steinborn et al. 2016), and 95 percent of wine samples contained less than 5 ppb glyphosate (Pérez-Mayán et al. 2022). Glyphosate is used to control weeds in vineyards, but not applied to grapes or grapevines.

Glyphosate was also implicated in chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) based on correlations (Ulrich et al. 2023). Glyphosate is used to control weeds on tea plantations in Sri Lanka. When farm workers started presenting with an unusual kidney disorder, an investigating medical researcher mentioned glyphosate as a hypothetical cause in a review article (Jayasumana et al. 2014). Social media instantly transformed this guess into gospel, despite no causal evidence of it causing kidney disease. This led to a glyphosate ban in Sri Lanka, increasing production costs for farmers and contributing to food shortages (Marambe and Herath 2020; Dorlach and Gunasekara 2023).

A July 2022 report insinuated that glyphosate causes Alzheimer’s disease. The claim exaggerated preclinical research assessing glyphosate in rodents (Winstone et al. 2022). The authors demonstrated that glyphosate consumed by mice was detectable in the brain and corresponded with increased expression of neural inflammation biomarkers. The university communications group wildly extrapolated that to insinuate a link with Alzheimer’s disease, which anti-biotechnology groups were quick to amplify. Public communications neglected to mention the mice were fed massive doses of glyphosate daily for two weeks before the assessment, levels that could never be encountered without chugging glyphosate.

These are a sample of how, by accident or design, peer-reviewed literature appears to validate unfounded risks associated with glyphosate. Legitimate findings were exaggerated to alarming absurdity by clickbait headlines and class-action attorneys ready to cash in on a manufactured crisis. There are several individuals with academic credentials misinforming conferences and publishing unsubstantiated associations between glyphosate and every disease or disorder that plagues us. It is these sensational stories that skew public perception, cause health anxiety, and create a disinformation landscape around one of agriculture’s safest chemistries.

Cancer and the IARC Classification

Activists opposed to biotech crops switched their focus from the crops to the chemistries used on them—and glyphosate was the perfect villain. As acres of glyphosate tolerant crops expanded, so did the use of glyphosate, making it easy to hint at correlations between the disease-of-the-day and increased glyphosate use.

This controversy was borne out of slight, statistically nonsignificant associations between certain cancers in farmers that used glyphosate and some in vitro and animal studies. This was enough for the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization (WHO), to label glyphosate as a “probable” carcinogen in 2015. This ignited a firestorm of litigation against Bayer, one of many glyphosate manufacturers. Juries, swayed by emotions and legal narratives instead of science, ruled in defense of plaintiff’s cases—reinforcing false associations to cancer and making it more challenging for credible science to prevail in public discussion.

The issue with a “probable carcinogen” classification? The IARC does not assess risk, only hazards. This means the question IARC is asking is “Could glyphosate theoretically cause cancer under any circumstance?” and not “Is there evidence of a realistic likelihood that glyphosate causes cancer based on exposures humans may encounter?” IARC even conceded that there is “no known link between dietary glyphosate exposure and cancer.” Leaked drafts indicated IARC excluded robust human data that showed no link between glyphosate and cancer, while relying on weak observational studies, animal, and in vitro data.

The IARC report augmented deep divisions between scientific and agricultural communities and the public, exacerbated by additional flawed reports shared widely. One meta-analysis exploded across the internet, claiming a 41 percent increase in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in exposed groups (Zhang et al. 2019). However, critics noted the curious grouping of data that led to positive associations (Kabat et al. 2021), and parallel analyses showed no association (Donato et al. 2020). Even a decade after the IARC classification, there is thin epidemiological or mechanistic evidence to support a relationship between glyphosate exposure and any human cancers.

International regulatory bodies that do assess risk and included robust epidemiological studies in their assessment have independently concluded there is no relationship between glyphosate and cancer. These include the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR; Food & Agriculture/World Health Organization), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The National Academies of Sciences (NAS), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Chemicals Agency, and Health Canada. All evaluated hundreds of studies across decades of data and concluded there is no solid evidence of glyphosate causing cancer in humans. EFSA rebuked the IARC classification as inappropriate based on data. The European Commission reapproved glyphosate for use for another ten years in 2023.

A Toolkit for Ten Common Claims about Glyphosate

A well-funded and motivated disinformation enterprise bombards social media with glyphosate claims. Here are rebuttals:

1. “Its use has increased massively.” It is true; the raw kilograms of herbicide applied internationally have increased significantly since 1996. Before 1996, it was used as a general herbicide. After 1996, it was used to weed massive expanding acreage of genetically engineered crops. But it replaced other herbicides that carried more risk to humans and environment (Duke et al. 2012), meaning a net gain in safety and environmental stewardship.

2. “It has been ‘detected’ in [insert food, drink, or body fluid here].” Modern analytical chemistry is incredibly sensitive and allows glyphosate to be detected down to the parts per trillion (one second in 31,700 years). Detection does not equal risk; with everything, the dose makes the poison.

3. “Crops are doused in glyphosate.” Farmers apply about 750 ml of active ingredient per acre early in plant development. That’s roughly two soda cans per football field. Not only are crops not “doused,” the herbicide is sprayed on herbicide-tolerant plants long before the corn, soybeans, or canola seeds are on the plant.

4. “It caused [problem x] in rats.” There are animal studies that show evidence of harm. However, these studies typically administer massive amounts over long periods of time, and rodents have very different physiologies than humans. Be sure to check the dose and research model when vetting claims.

5. “It causes cancer.” There has never been definitive, reproducible data suggesting any link to human cancers. The IARC categorization of “probable carcinogen” is a hazard assessment based on a small number of suggestive animal and petri dish studies. In the almost ten years since the IARC reclassification, there is no sound epidemiological or mechanistic evidence of causality.

6. “It is linked to [insert disease, disorder, or condition here].” Claims that it is “linked” to cancer, autism, etc., should raise skeptical red flags. In this context, a “link” can be a one-off paper, retracted study, weak statistical blip, or rangy correlation. A link does not mean actual risk. Many anti-glyphosate organizations will show correlations between a given disease and use of the herbicide in total kilograms. Correlation does not equate to causation. It is important to note that in fifty years of use, research, and international regulatory scrutiny, no disease has been shown to be causally associated with occupational or dietary exposure.

7. “It causes digestive problems when sprayed to dry wheat.” Occasionally, grain crops are treated with glyphosate to ensure the product, typically wheat, dries uniformly. Claims that this causes gluten sensitivity, “leaky gut,” and other nebulous medical conditions are unfounded. Glyphosate does not “alter” gluten structure as is sometimes claimed, and levels of glyphosate found on wheat products are too low to even hypothetically cause these issues.

8. “It destroys the microbiome.” In vitro experiments and in silico projections suggest that glyphosate might inhibit favorable bacteria while elevating harmful bacteria in the intestine. Aside from the fact that in vitro studies cannot recapitulate the complexity of the human digestive system, trace levels of glyphosate consumed through food are too low to cause these issues, especially because bacteria do not take up glyphosate well without additional surfactants.

9. “It is killing bees.” Bees visit flowers. Plants sprayed with glyphosate either do not flower or flowers rapidly die. The exceptions are genetically engineered crops such as canola that flower and attract bees. However, residues present in nectaries and pollen range from “below detection” to 205 ppb, a level unlikely to cause harm, and is undetectable two months following application (Zioga et al. 2022). Bees fed higher chronic exposures in the laboratory at 2.5 ppm have shown some effects on foraging behaviors (Farina et al. 2019). Others fed 5–10 ppm in sugar water for five days showed negative effects on microbiome composition (Motta et al. 2018). High concentrations used were designed to mimic those in recent applications (Motta and Moran 2023), so data must be considered with that caveat.

10. “Look at the lawsuits: RoundUp causes cancer.” Monsanto (now Bayer) has both lost and won court cases. Lawsuits and jury trials are not scientific evidence of health effects, merely evidence that a jury was persuaded by a convincing (i.e., emotional) appeal. Anyone can sue anyone for anything, and juries are not inherently scientific experts. This is a red herring that ignores fifty years of scientific evidence.

Conclusions

Modern agriculture seeks to fill gaps in food security, reinforcing and improving human health. A new eye on sustainability welcomes new (and occasionally old) technology to make land use more efficient and lessen environmental impact. With intrinsic concerns of health, safety, environmental stewardship, and farmers’ economic sustainability, glyphosate has met these goals for five decades. While there is insufficient evidence of health impacts at current exposures, use has been and will continue to be monitored closely. Ongoing research should continue to be alert for any actual risk, perhaps in certain population segments. As of the writing of this article, glyphosate remains useful for farmers to ensure productivity, affordability, and stability of food crops. Although it remains a political target, our job as a scientific and skeptical community is to continue to evaluate claims for veracity and clearly communicate actual risk and benefits to the public.

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Kevin Folta, PhD, is a professor, keynote speaker, and host of the  Talking Biotech podcast. Follow Professor Folta on X @kevinfolta

Andrea Love, PhD, is a biomedical scientist and award-winning science communicator with a PhD in microbiology and immunology. In addition to her fulltime career in life sciences biotechnology, she is the author of  ImmunoLogic  and the executive director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation. She can be reached at drandrealove@ immunologic.org . Follow Andrea on X  @dr_andrealove

Nicole Keller, DO, FAAP, is a general pediatrician practicing in suburban/rural Chicagoland. She serves as chairperson of the pediatric department at the medical center she is a part of. She can be reached at [email protected] .

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