The Difference Between Glycidaldehyde and Glyphosate

Such Crazy Names

• The key to at least partially understanding chemicals is to pay attention to the parts of their sometimes lengthy and confusing spelling. The letters “gly” tell you that a compound contains a form of glycine, an amino acid; the human body makes about 10 of the known 20 amino acids, all of which help build protein and regulate metabolism in both animals and plants The “aldehyde” in "glycidaldehyde" may seem familiar. Formaldehyde is used to embalm, and so it's not surprising that a chemical named glycidaldehyde helps preserve leather. The “phos” in glyphosate is a key to understanding what's in glyphosate; it refers to phosphate, a phosphoric acid.

A Glance at Glycidaldehyde

• Glycidaldehyde, a colorless liquid with a strong odor, is used industrially and typically is not found on the retail market. Unless you tan leather or are a taxidermist, there is no reason for you to buy or use it. Glycidaldehyde has caused cancer in laboratory animals. So if you use it, exercise extreme caution. It is combustible with a low flash point and can explode if it is ignited in an enclosed space. Do not handle glycidaldehyde without wearing goggles, a breathing mask and protective clothing. Long-term health problems can occur months or years after handling glycidaldehyde.

A Glance at Glyphosate

• Glyphosate is the active ingredient in numerous herbicides. Among the most widely used herbicides in the world, glyphosate blocks an enzyme that plants need to create amino acids, which are essential for building proteins that plants need to grow. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, contact herbicide, which means it kills all plants that it touches, moving from a plant's bark, leaves or twigs to the rest of the plant.

Necessary Precautions

• Herbicides containing glyphosate typically are sprayed, and drifting glyphosate spray kills all grass and other plants in its path. If you spray an herbicide containing glyphosate on weeds growing among ornamental plants, use a cardboard shield to prevent the herbicide from drifting onto your ornamental plants. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has registered glyphosate herbicides to control numerous weeds, glyphosate is, nevertheless, toxic. Exposure to it can cause burning eyes, blurred vision, skin rashes, nausea, headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds and difficulty breathing. Wear protective eye-wear, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and socks when spraying an herbicide containing glyphosate. Discard clothing contaminated by glyphosate.