EPA begins new atrazine evaluation

U.S. EPA is launching a comprehensive new evaluation of the herbicide atrazine to determine its effects on humans. At the end of this process, the agency will decide whether to revise its current risk assessment of the chemical and whether new restrictions are necessary to better protect public health. Atrazine is used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds. EPA will evaluate the herbicide’s potential cancer and non-cancer effects on humans. Included in this new evaluation will be the most recent studies on atrazine and its potential association with birth defects, low birth weight, and premature births. During the evaluation, EPA will include data generated since 2003 from laboratory and population studies. The agency will seek advice from the Scientific Advisory Panel established under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. EPA will engage SAP to evaluate the human health effects of atrazine over the coming year. EPA is expected to present and seek peer review of its atrazine evaluation by September 2010.