What does atrazine do 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.
Why is atrazine bad for you?
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 toxic to humans?
Health harms Human exposure to atrazine is linked to a number of serious health effects. A potent endocrine disrupter, atrazine interferes with hormonal activity of animals and humans at extremely low doses. Endocrine Disruption: The science on atrazine’s effects on the hormone system continues to grow.
Is atrazine used in UK?
Atrazine and simazine, the pesticides which most commonly exceed EC limits in UK drinking water supplies, have been banned from use on non-crop land. But the decision may not remove the threat to drinking waters because roughly the same amount of the compounds is used in agriculture.
Where can atrazine be found?
Atrazine has been found in water collected from many drinking water wells in the Midwestern United States. Therefore, you may be able to reduce your risk of exposure to atrazine by ensuring that your water supply is free of atrazine, or contains no measurable levels of atrazine.
Are we still using atrazine?
“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.
Is atrazine still in tap water?
Atrazine, a widely used agricultural weedkiller that disrupts hormones, contaminates tap water supplies for about 7.6 million Americans at potentially harmful levels. But the federal government is doing little to counter the threat. The highest levels of atrazine in tap water are detected in May and June.
Is atrazine in UK tap water?
Atrazine has been banned in Europe since the 1980s under laws that prohibit the use of any pesticide that contaminates drinking water.
Is atrazine in UK water?
Concerns over Herbicides, like Atrazine, in Waterways It is also listed as a priority substance under the UK Water Framework Directive.
When should I apply atrazine to my lawn?
In the soil, atrazine is an effective preemergence herbicide, preventing weeds from sprouting. Apply atrazine up to twice a year, making an application in November to control broadleaf winter weeds and annual grasses and again in January. Follow label directions for rates, frequency and application methods.
How fast does atrazine work?
Typically, Atrazine is a very slow-acting herbicide, and it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks after application to see desired results and death of the target weed.
Where is atrazine found in the United States?
Atrazine is the most widely used herbicide in Texas corn and grain sorghum production. It also is often found as an active ingredient in many “weed-and-feed” products available for home lawn and commercial turf- grass weed control. With its widespread use, atrazine has been discovered in minute quantities in Texas ground and surface waters.
Why is it important to understand the effects of atrazine?
Because of this, it is important to understand atrazine behavior in the environment and the potential for adverse effects on human and animal health and on other non-target organisms. Atrazine kills plants by disrupting photosynthesis.
How to contact the Poison Control Center about atrazine?
For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378. What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to atrazine?
Where does atrazine stay in a soil profile?
Soils high in clay and organic matter content are less likely to let atrazine move downward than sandy soils.Atrazine will generally stay in the upper 1 to 6 inches of the soil profile on most agricultural soils.