60 Nations Ban Atrazine; US Rivers Contaminated

A recent review of federal records reveals that the herbicide atrazine contaminates approximately 25% of continental U.S. rivers, affecting nearly 860,000 miles of waterways. This contamination impacts over 20% of surface drinking water intakes and hundreds of thousands of wells nationwide. Atrazine is known for its severe hormonal effects, having been found to "chemically castrate" frogs and induce sex changes. Its dangerous properties have led to bans in 60 countries, including the European Union since 2003.

The Center For Biological Diversity's report, analyzing EPA records, highlights the widespread threat. Atrazine is classified as a probable carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor, posing significant risks to developing fetuses and children, and is linked to various reproductive issues in both humans and animals. Despite these findings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been criticized for its inaction over decades, largely attributed to the chemical's profitability and strong industry backing.

Hotspots for atrazine pollution include the Chesapeake Bay region, the midwest corn belt, Florida's Lake Okeechobee, the lower Mississippi River, and the Texas Gulf coast. The midwest corn belt, for instance, sees over two-thirds of its river miles contaminated, with states in this region experiencing rapidly rising early-onset cancer diagnoses. Public health groups continue to pursue legal action against the EPA's approval of atrazine, advocating for a complete ban mirroring international precedents to protect public health and the environment.