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Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

EPA Ignores the Science, Dismisses the Risks to Children’s Health From Syngenta’s Atrazine

Author:     Olga Naidenko
Source:     Environmental Working Group
Publication Date:     TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
 Link: EPA Ignores the Science, Dismisses the Risks to Children’s Health From Syngenta’s Atrazine
Stephan:   Yet another proof that when Republicans govern your life, and the lives of your family, are at greater risk in a host of ways. This is not a party it is a White supremacist christofascist cult run by oligarchs for their profit and at the expense of what they see as peasants. If you have any reason to believe your water is compromised, follow this from the report, "Atrazine and similar herbicides can be removed from tap water by carbon filters, including inexpensive countertop pitchers. If you have, or suspect you might have contaminants in your tap water, EWG’s Water Filter Guide can help identify the best options. "  

In a move that echoes pesticide industry wishes, the Environmental Protection Agency chose to ignore recent science and human health studies on atrazine, a weed-killer that turns male frogs into females and may increase the risk of cancer, The New York Times reported last month.

Atrazine is manufactured by agrochemical giant Syngenta. It is sprayed mostly on Midwest corn fields and is consistently one of the most-detected crop chemicals in drinking water.

According to EWG’s Tap Water Database, which aggregates testing data from utilities nationwide, in 2015, atrazine was found in water systems serving nearly 30 million Americans in 27 states.

Due to its ability to disturb the fine-tuned hormonal balance in the body, even at low doses, atrazine can affect the reproductive system and the developing fetus. The European Union completely phased out atrazine because of its potential to contaminate drinking water.

In the U.S. in 2013, Syngenta settled a class action lawsuit brought by water utilities with atrazine contamination for $105 million. The settlement money was distributed to communities with the most contamination, but for many systems, that amount was insufficient to cover costs of long-term water treatment.

In […]

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