Brownfield, MO
06-30-06
Atrazine declared “safe” following 12 year EPA study
by Jerry Passer
A 12-year review of nearly 1,000 studies has determined the popular herbicide
atrazine is safe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there is a
“reasonable certainty that no harm will result” to infants, children or other
consumers from possible exposure to atrazine.
Atrazine is one of the more commonly used protection products. It not only saved
farmers up to $37 an acre in broadleaf weed control costs and yield losses in
corn last year, it is the herbicide of choice for farmers who practice
environmentally-friendly no-till planting.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) participated in the EPA special review of
atrazine by coordinating special test corn plots at Iowa State University and
promoting a survey that showed how Iowa farmers use atrazine.
“This is good news for all Iowa Farmers and all citizens. It is good that science
can still win the day over activists with an agenda,” said Rick Robinson, IFBF
Policy Advisor. “Having the EPA say atrazine is safe should carry a lot of weight
if there are any future civil actions against atrazine manufacturers.”
The EPA says farmers and citizens have until August 21 to comment on its
preliminary decision on its risk assessment of atrazine and two other triazines.
Go to www.iowafarmbureau.com and click on the News and
Issues/Environmental link for more information.
Information for this article came from IFBF news release.