Report Questions Atrazine Levels in Water

The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that drinking water containing the herbicide – atrazine - could pose a greater public health risk than previously thought because regular municipal monitoring doesn't detect frequent spikes in the chemical's levels. The NRDC says the missed spikes likely occur after rain and springtime application of the herbicide. Scientists with atrazine manufacturer Syngenta called the NRDC report - alarmist - and said the spikes fall within one- and 10-day limits that the EPA considers safe.

The NRDC reported documented spikes in atrazine in the water supplies of Midwestern and Southern towns in agricultural areas, where the herbicide is applied to the vast majority of corn, sorghum and sugar cane fields. Atrazine is an endocrine disrupter and can interfere with the body's hormonal activity and the development of reproductive organs. NRDC senior scientist Jennifer Sass says - our biggest concern is early-life-stage development. If there's a disruption during that time, it becomes hard-wired into the system. These endocrine disrupters act in the body at extremely low levels. Therefore, - these spikes matter.

Syngenta toxicologist Tim Pastoor says, - atrazine is one of the best studied, most thoroughly regulated molecules on the planet. He says, - those momentary spikes are not going to be injurious to human health. NRDC scientists and lawyers argue that the EPA's limits are too lenient, given studies showing the effects of low levels of atrazine on rats and other animals and the fact that it is nearly impossible to epidemiologically trace the chemical's effects on humans.