US EPA Plans to Enforce Restrictions on Atrazine Use

Atrazine is a chlorinated herbicide that is used to prevent the growth of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. The European Union has banned all uses of atrazine due to human exposure concerns over developmental and reproductive toxicity. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) currently allows atrazine use on several agricultural crops, as well as residential and recreational areas, but is currently reviewing a proposal to lower allowable limits in watersheds to mitigate harmful impacts to aquatic life. The proposal also recommends prohibiting growers from using atrazine when soils are saturated, during active rain, or when rain is forecasted within 48 hours. Aerial spraying of atrazine would also be prohibited. The full proposal can be accessed here.

CIL offers stable isotope-labeled and native atrazine standards, as well as related triazine herbicides propazine and simazine.