Is atrazine harmful to humans?
Atrazine has a lot of adverse effect on health such as tumors, breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers as well as leukemia and lymphoma. It is an endocrine disrupting chemical interrupting regular hormone function and causing birth defects, reproductive tumors, and weight loss in amphibians as well as humans.
What are the dangers of 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.
Is atrazine banned in Canada?
Atrazine was banned in Europe in 2003 over concerns of widespread groundwater contamination. There are currently 13 products containing atrazine that are permitted for use in Canada. They are commonly used on corn crops in Ontario, Quebec and parts of Manitoba.
Should atrazine be banned in the US?
“Atrazine is toxic to coral reefs and endangered species. Research has linked atrazine to birth defects and cancer in people, and even miniscule doses can chemically castrate frogs. It has been banned or is being phased out in more than 35 countries but is the second-most commonly used herbicide in the United States.
Why is atrazine banned in Europe?
Atrazine is a common agricultural herbicide with endocrine disruptor activity. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved its continued use in October 2003, that same month the European Union (EU) announced a ban of atrazine because of ubiquitous and unpreventable water contamination.
Should we use atrazine?
On farmed acres, atrazine helps reduce soil erosion by enabling no-till farming and conservation tillage. “Atrazine gives growers residual weed control, so they’re not having to do deep plowing every year, reducing soil and pesticide runoff,” says Dennis Kelly, head of state affairs at Syngenta.
Is atrazine good for grass?
Not only does Atrazine kill most weeds, but it also kills most grasses. This is great for controlling pest grasses but is harmful to many species of turfgrasses.
What kind of herbicide is atrazine used for?
What is atrazine? Atrazine is in a group of man-made systemic herbicides called triazines. Specifically, atrazine is a chlorotriazine herbicide. 1 It is used for broadleaf weeds both before and after they sprout.
Are there any home products that contain atrazine?
There are over 300 products that contain atrazine. 3 Many of these can only be used by professionals. Some are available for residential use. Products with atrazine may be labeled for use on soil, roadsides, lawns, and athletic fields.
How does atrazine affect the growth of plants?
How does atrazine work? Atrazine interferes with photosynthesis in some broadleaf plants and grasses. 2,4 It is taken up by roots and leaves and moves upward in the plant to areas of new growth. 2 The plant dries out and dies. Older leaves on plants may be affected more than new leaves.
What do you mean by technical grade atrazine?
Technical Grade Atrazine: This fact sheet refers to the technical grade, or “pure” atrazine only. Products you buy from the store include other ingredients as well. While many of the chemicals used as other ingredients may not pose health or environmental risks, some of them can be toxic.