Measuring POEA, a Surfactant Mixture in Herbicide Formulations
Completed
By Environmental Health Program
December 6, 2013
USGS Scientists Investigate the Composition of POEA
(polyoxyethylene tallow amine)
(polyoxyethylene tallow amine)
POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine) is a surfactant with known toxic effects on aquatic organisms. POEA was added to the original formulation of the herbicide glyphosate to aid in its application and effectiveness at controlling weeds. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists developing methods to measure POEA in the environment have shown that it’s a complex and variable mixture of related compounds, and that POEA is still a common additive in several newer agricultural and household glyphosate formulations.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Since glyphosate is one of the most widely used pesticides in the United States, the findings could indicate that POEA may be widely available for transport into surface water and groundwater. Such additives in pesticide formulations are commonly called "inert" ingredients or adjuvants, and little is known about these ingredients and their occurrence and transport in, and effects on, the environment. This USGS study is the first step in investigating the environmental fate and effects of POEA in herbicide applications.
This study was funded by the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program.
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POEA (polyoxyethylene tallow amine) is a surfactant with known toxic effects on aquatic organisms. POEA was added to the original formulation of the herbicide glyphosate to aid in its application and effectiveness at controlling weeds. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists developing methods to measure POEA in the environment have shown that it’s a complex and variable mixture of related compounds, and that POEA is still a common additive in several newer agricultural and household glyphosate formulations.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Since glyphosate is one of the most widely used pesticides in the United States, the findings could indicate that POEA may be widely available for transport into surface water and groundwater. Such additives in pesticide formulations are commonly called "inert" ingredients or adjuvants, and little is known about these ingredients and their occurrence and transport in, and effects on, the environment. This USGS study is the first step in investigating the environmental fate and effects of POEA in herbicide applications.
This study was funded by the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program.
Related science listed below.
Organic Geochemistry Research Core Technology Team
About the Research The Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program works to develop targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for the identification and quantitation of chemicals that can impact the health of humans and other organisms, and uses bioassays to screen for receptor inhibition.
Scientists Start at the Base of the Food Chain to Understand Contaminant Affects on Energy Cycling in Streams
Study examines the potential adverse effects of fungicides on leaf decomposition by microbes and aquatic invertebrates.
Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory Scored High on Proficiency Testing for Glyphosate
In a recent inter–laboratory comparison of 28 international laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) scored A's for the analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in this proficiency testing.
Recognition for a USGS Scientist in Service to Others
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Dr. Michael T. Meyer has had a prolific career, publishing 60 journal articles and 45 USGS publications. Mike's publication record has recently led to his designation as a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher, ranking among the top 1 percent of researchers from 2002 to 2012 for most cited documents in their specific field (Environment/Ecology). He was...
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Amphibians from remote locations in California have accumulated several current-use pesticides, including fungicides, in their bodies. A team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists recently reported on field results in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry . Two fungicides, pyraclostrobin and tebuconazole, and the herbicide simazine were detected frequently in amphibians from all...
Contaminants Affect Fish and Wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay
“Legacy contaminants” and “contaminants of emerging concern” that persist in the environment are affecting the health of fish and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. State continue to report impaired water resources due to the persistence and toxicity of some previously banned pollutants. In addition, other contaminants of emerging concern are released to the environment at levels...
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Chemical contaminants including herbicides, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and biogenic hormones have been detected at fish nesting sites in the Potomac River watershed where endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ) was also observed. Although these contaminants are known to originate from a variety of human and animal-waste sources, results of a recent U.S. Geological Survey...
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U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have detected one or more fungicides in 20 of 29 streams across the United States that were sampled during 2005 and 2006 in areas where soybeans are grown. The number of fungicides used has increased significantly since 2002, and very little is known about their occurrence in the environment. For some of the fungicides this is the first data documenting...
Glyphosate Herbicide Found in Many Midwestern Streams, Antibiotics Not Common
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