Still present after all these years: persistence plus potential toxicity raise questions about the use of atrazine

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2011 Feb;18(2):328-31. doi: 10.1007/s11356-010-0431-y. Epub 2010 Dec 30.

Abstract

As one of the worlds' most heavily applied herbicides, atrazine is still a matter of controversy. Since it is regularly found in ground and drinking water, as well as in sea water and the ice of remote areas, it has become the subject of continuous concern due to its potential endocrine and carcinogenic activity. Current findings prove long-held suspicions that this compound persists for decades in soil. Due to the high amount applied annually all over the world, the soil burden of this compound is considered to be tremendous, representing a potential long-term threat to the environment. The persistence of chemicals such as atrazine has long been underestimated: Do we need to reconsider the environmental risk?

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atrazine / analysis
  • Atrazine / toxicity*
  • Carcinogens / analysis
  • Carcinogens / toxicity
  • Endocrine Disruptors / analysis
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Herbicides / analysis
  • Herbicides / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Pesticide Residues / analysis
  • Pesticide Residues / toxicity*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis
  • Soil Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Time Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Herbicides
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Atrazine