Has atrazine been banned in the US?
WASHINGTON— The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the endocrine-disrupting pesticide atrazine will be banned in Hawaii and in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the North Mariana Islands. “Atrazine is toxic to coral reefs and endangered species.
What is atrazine used for?
What is atrazine? Atrazine is an herbicide widely used for control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. It is sprayed on row crops such as corn, sorghum and sugarcane, and in some areas is used on residential lawns. It has also been used on highway and railroad rights-of-way.
How safe is atrazine?
Atrazine has a stellar safety record. In 2006, the EPA completed a 12-year review that included 6,000 studies and 80,000 public comments. When agreeing to re-register the product, EPA concluded that it provided no harm to people. Moreover, the World Health Organization has found no health concerns with atrazine.
Is atrazine a restricted use?
Pesticides are classified as “restricted use” for a variety of reasons, such as potential for or history of groundwater contamination. Atrazine is the most widely used restricted-use herbicide, however there are over 700 such “restricted use” pesticides as of 2017.
Why we should ban atrazine?
Atrazine is linked to human health problems such as endocrine disruption, cancer and birth defects. Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey have found atrazine also harms the immune, hormone and reproductive systems of wildlife. Fish and amphibians exposed to atrazine can exhibit hermaphrodism.
Why we should not use atrazine?
It’s so dangerous to both people and wildlife that it has been banned by the European Union. Numerous studies have provided overwhelming evidence linking atrazine to significant health concerns including increased risk of prostate cancer and decreased sperm count in men, and a higher risk of breast cancer in women.
When should I apply atrazine?
Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer can be applied early in the morning before temperatures reach 90 degrees if it’s expected to get this hot on the day of application. You just do not want to apply during the time of high temperature because your desirable turfgrass is under more stress in high heat.
How long does atrazine last?
How long does atrazine last? Once Atrazine is applied to the weed and soaks into the soil, it can remain there for several days to several months. In most cases, the atrazine will be present in the ground for one growing season. After that, it will be mostly broken down.
Where is atrazine most commonly used?
Atrazine is a member of the triazine chemical class, which includes simazine and propazine. It is used in primarily in agriculture, with the greatest use on corn, sorghum, and sugarcane. To a lesser extent, it is used on residential lawns and golf courses, particularly in the Southeast United States.
How much atrazine is in the water?
In many countries, after application in agricultural areas, atrazine has been found in groundwater at levels of 0.01–6 µg/litre. It has also been detected in drinking-water in several countries at levels of 0.01–5 µg/litre (11,12).