Atrazine Maker Cries Foul

Let’s see. We know atrazine morphs male frogs into females and otherwise causes deformities in amphibians. We know, too, that the weed killer most widely used in agriculture and often in lawn care, has been banned in Europe since 2004 because it contaminates groundwater. We also know that a recent report indicated that when expectant mothers are exposed even small doses of atrazine they’re children are more likely to be born with birth defects.

Due to that report, the Environmental Protection Agency had recently launched what amounts to a mid-term review of atrazine, which had been re-approved by the EPA in 2006. Most manufacturers of the cheap pesticide have complied, but one — Syngenta — is claiming that politics and pressure from misguided environmental activists is the only reason EPA boss Lisa Jackson ignited the most recent Atrazine probe. Syngenta is launching a full-on media assault against Jackson and others, including the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“We believe she is cooperating with, if not spearheading, a broad-based activist agenda to implement an official anti-chemical approach which has no basis in protecting anyone’s health, nor do anything measurable or perceptible for the environment, but is designed to promote a political anti-chemical, anti-business agenda,” said Dr. Gilbert Ross, in an article published in LegalNewsline.com. Ross is medical director of the American Council on Science and Health, a chemical industry advocacy organization.

It’s imperative that we continue to let our elected officials know that this atrazine review is essential.