Help Stop Wildlife Poisoning -- Ban Atrazine Today
We now have a chance to end use of the toxic pesticide atrazine -- for good. The Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether to ban this widely used weed-killer, which is linked to significant human and wildlife health concerns, including birth defects, fertility problems and certain cancers.
Atrazine has been banned in the European Union since 2004, but 80 million pounds are applied in the United States each year. This dangerous chemical is one of the most widespread contaminants of groundwater, surface water and drinking water nationwide. An abundance of scientific literature on the harmful effects of atrazine has been published by agency and university scientists across the country, including compelling evidence that atrazine chemically castrates male frogs at concentrations 30 times lower than the EPA claims are "safe."
We only have one month to weigh in -- submit your comments to the EPA today.
Numerous studies have definitively linked atrazine with endocrine disruption, reproductive damage and cancers in humans and wildlife. Atrazine is highly persistent in the environment, and the chemical is one of the most widespread contaminants of our groundwater and drinking water. Continued use of atrazine is a severe threat to numerous endangered species, including the mountain yellow-legged frog, black-capped vireo and Karner blue butterfly.
Studies by the University of California show that atrazine is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with reproduction and "assaults male sexual development." Atrazine chemically castrates and feminizes male frogs at concentrations 30 times lower than levels allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Your Comments Here]
The European Union has already banned atrazine, due to unacceptable impacts to human health and the environment. I urge the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately ban atrazine and quickly phase out all uses of this dangerous herbicide.
