ATRAZINE: CONTAMINATION IN WATER AND ASSESSMENT OF REGULATIONS
Epalle Nseke, Jacob A. LeMay, and Antonio F. Machado
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, California State University Northridge
ABSTRACT
LEVELS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATRICES
Atrazine is a chloro-S-triazine herbicide that is used extensively in agriculture worldwide. It is
speculated to be an endocrine disruptor and has been seen to cause various birth defects in
humans. Atrazine is banned in the European Union but persists as a groundwater contaminant.
Water remediation for atrazine is simple carbon filtration, although many treatment plants do
not use this method. The fate and transport of atrazine does not stop at application, as trace
amounts makes its way to our drinking water from nearby farmland.
Maximum level observed[12]
Matrix
Air (rainwater)
1.99 ppb
Soil
5.5 to 1 ppm over 110 days
Surface runoff
700 ppb
Surface water (river and stream)
33 ppb
Ground water
INTRODUCTION
Atrazine is a chloro-S-triazine herbicide that is used extensively in agriculture worldwide.
Although, the European Union has placed a ban on atrazine, the U.S. still continues its use as a
restricted use pesticide (RUP).
Atrazine is a known endocrine disruptor and studies have been done on rats, fishes, and frogs to
determine its health effects. These include: oxidative stress leading to DNA damage, alteration
of the reproductive system in fishes and frogs, preterm birth, gastroschisis by maternal age, and
disruption of the hypothalamic control of the pituitary ovarian function.
Atrazine is degraded to other metabolites of Deisopropylatrazine (DIA), diaminochlorotriazine
(DACT), deethylatrazine (DEA). These metabolites in some cases are more toxic than atrazine.
Exposure to atrazine can occur in different ways. People living around active farm areas can be
exposed through contaminated air or water. People living in urban areas far from the agriculture
areas are exposed through drinking water.
Trade Names/Synonyms: Aatrex; Actinite PK; Akticon; Argezin; Atazinax;
Atranex; Atrataf; Atred; Candex; Cekuzina-T; Chromozin; Crisatrina; Cyazin;
Fenamin; Fenatrol; Gesaprim; Griffex; Hungazin; Inakor; Pitezin; Primatol;
Radazin; Strazine; Vectal; Weedex A; Wonuk; Zeapos; Zeazine
100 ppt
Tap water
60 ppb
Drinking water wells
40 ppb
Atrazine possesses a high Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS) of
approximately 3.6[13].
Atrazine is still detectable in soil and deeper layers after 22 years
of environmental exposure[14].
REMEDIATION
Atrazine is biodegraded by bacteria via hydrolysis
 Microbes metabolize melamine and
the triazine herbicides such as
atrazine via enzyme-catalyzed
hydrolysis reactions[16].
 Pseudomonas sp. ADP and several
other atrazine-degrading bacteria
metabolize hydroxyatrazine to
cyanuric acid[16].
AtzA
PHASE 1
AtzB
 This bacteria has also been isolated in
north America Europe, Australia, and
Asia[16].
Biological degradation of atrazine in
water is nitrogen dependent
Atrazine can serve as a nitrogen source
and is degraded by certain
microorganisms[18]. When nitrite is
present in abundance, atrazine may not
be degraded by bacteria in water[18].
PHASE 2
AtzC
In some cases, atrazine is not seen to
biodegrade in anaerobic water[18].
Fig. 2. Metabolic pathway for biodegradation of atrazine by bacteria[17].
REGULATIONS
Country
• Depending on the availability of
sunlight, oxygen, microorganisms,
and plants, the half-life of atrazine
in water tends to be longer than 6
months. In anaerobic conditions,
atrazine has been seen to not
degrade aquatic systems[12].
Atrazine is a restricted use pesticide. Its use is restricted only by a
certified pesticide applicator or under the direct supervision of a
certified applicator[15].
DISPOSITION AND METABOLISM
Atrazine metabolism in human and in mice is a cytochrome dependent
(CYP) phase 1 biotransformation and a phase 2 glutathione (GSH)
conjugation.
• Half-life of atrazine in soil range
between a few days to about 1
year, depending on application
history, soil depth, soil moisture
content, temperature, pH and
presence of other nutrients such as
nitrogen or carbon[14].
0.410 ppb
Ocean
• Half-life of Atrazine in air is 14
hours[12].
Treatment for Atrazine
MCL (μg/L)
USA
3
Canada
5
WHO (World Health Organization)
2
China
3
European Union*
1
Cameroon**
2
Brazil
2
Australia
1
Soil[16]
Air[19]
Atrazine vapor and particulates in
the atmosphere have been seen
to dissipate with rain washout.
Atrazine has a low vapor pressure
so it is rarely observed in the
atmosphere.
1.
2.
3.
Best Available Technologies: Filter
with granular activated charcoal
FATE AND TRANSPORT
Atrazine starts from pesticide application and is
then intergraded into the environment as shown in
figure. Atrazine in soil is transformed into
metabolites DIA, DACT, DEA.
From the environment, atrazine then makes its way
to water treatment plants and, finally, to our
homes.
*Although atrazine has an MCL in Europe, the European union has banned the use of
this pesticide.
**In Cameroon as it is the case of many third world countries, the use of atrazine
appears to be regulated, but a study [3] shows that these pesticides are being
misused to the detriment of the farmer’s health.
HEALTH EFFECTS
• Endocrine disruptor in rats [4], in human [5]
Atrazine affects the reproductive system and causes
• Low birth weight and premature deliveries [6], increase birth defects
[7]
• Menstrual cycle length irregularity [8]
• Infant mortality [9].
• Birth Defect associated with atrazine exposure: Gastrochisis [9],
Omphalocell [9]
Atrazine causes demasculinization of male gonads in fishes, amphibians,
reptiles and mammals, and complete feminization in fishes, reptiles,
amphibians [11]
• Male genital malformation in human [12]
Removal to a landfill
incineration
biological remediation
Biological remediation is the
cheapest method
Water[15]
During late spring and early summer significant
amounts of herbicides are flushed into surface
waters from agricultural fields in Midwestern
states[20].
Fig. 3.Ilistration of interactions between environmental components[21] .
CONCLUSION
Atrazine is persistent groundwater contaminant and typically does not get filtered out of tap water[16].
Atrazine also shows signs of endocrine disruption and birth defects, but most of the data supporting human
birth defects are epidemiology studies. There is also still a need for further research to understand the
mechanism through which atrazine affects human health. Additionally, although exposure to city
populations is minimal, small amounts of atrazine will still be ingested over a lifetime with continued the
use of atrazine. We have also noticed correlative effects when atrazine is with nitrate (a fertilizer).
With atrazine being so persistent in the environment and studies showing endocrine disruption, we would
suggest a ban on atrazine until further studies on the effects of atrazine and atrazine with nitrate are fully
understood.
REFERENCES
[1]Hyun Joo, Kyoungju Choi, Ernest Hodgson: \\ Human metabolism of atrazine
[2] Erika L. Abel, Shaun M. Opp, Christophe L.M. J. Verlinde, Theo K. Bammler and David L. Eaton. \\Characterization of Atrazine Biotransformation by Human and Murine Glutathione S-Transferases
[3] A.F. Abang, C.M. Kouame, M. Abang, R. Hannah and A.K. Fotso \\ Vegetable Growers Perception Of Pesticide Use Practices, Cost, And Health Effects In The Tropical Region Of Cameroon
[4] G Giusi ; R M Facciolo ; M Canonaco ; E Alleva ; V Belloni ; F Dessi'-Fulgheri ; D Santucci \\ The Endocrine Disruptor Atrazine Accounts For Dimorphism Somatostatinergenic Neurona Expression Pattern In Mice
[5] Jean-Paul Lasserre ; Fred Fack ; Dominique Revets ; Sébastien Planchon ; Jenny Renaut ; Lucien Hoffmann ; Arno C Gutleb ; Claude P Muller ; Torsten Bohn \\Effects of the Endocrine Disruptors Atrazine and PCB 153 on the Protein
Expression of MCF-7 Human Cells
[6] Jessica L. Rinsky, Claudia Hopenhayn, Vijay Golla,Steve Browning, andHeather M. Bush, \\ Atrazine Exposure in Public Drinking Water and Preterm Birth
[7] Cécile Chevrier ; Gwendoline Limon ; Christine Monfort ; Florence Rouget ; Ronan Garlantézec ; Claire Petit ; Gaël Durand ; Sylvaine Cordier \\ Urinary Biomarkers of Prenatal Atrazine Exposure and Adverse Birth Outcomes in the
PELAGIE Birth Cohort
[8] Lori A. Cragin, James S. Kesner, Annette M. Bachand, Dana Boyd Barr, Juliana W. Meadows, Edward F. Krieg, John S. Reif \\ Menstrual cycle characteristics and reproductive hormone levels in women exposed to atrazine in
drinking water
[9] Kelly D Mattix; Paul D Wincheste; L.R. “Tres” Scherer \\ Incidence of Abdominal Wall Defects is Related to Surface Water Atrazine and Nitrate Levels
[10] Tyrone B. Hayes, Lloyd L. Anderson, Val R. Beasley, Shane R. de Solla, Taisen Iguchi, Holly Ingraham, Patrick Kestemont, Jasna Kniewald, Zlatko Kniewald, Valerie S. Langlois, Enrique H. Luque, Krista A. McCoy, Mónica Muñoz-deToro, Tomohiro Oka, Cleida A. Oliveira, Frances Orton, Sylvia Ruby, Miyuki Suzawa, Luz E. Tavera-Mendoza, Vance L. Trudeau, Anna Bolivar Victor-Costa, Emily Willingham. \\ Demasculinization and feminization of male gonads by
atrazine: Consistent effects across vertebrate classes
[11] A J Agopian; Philip J Lupo; Mark A Canfield; Peter H Langlois \\ Case-control Study of Maternal Residential Atrazine Exposure and Male Genital Malformations
[12] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) \\ TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR ATRAZINE (September 2013)
[13] T. Bohn, E. Cocco, L. Guignard and L. Hoffmann \\ Determination of Atrazine and degradation products in Luxembourgish drinking water: origin and fate of potential endocrine-disrupting pesticides
[14] Nicolai D. Jablonowski, Stephan Koppchen, Diana Hofmann, Andreas Shaffer, Peter Burauel \\ Persistence of 14C-laveled atrazine and its residues in a field lysimeter soil after 22 years
[15] USEPA \\ http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/atrazine/index.htm
[16] L.P. Wackett, M.J. Sadowsky and B. Martinez \\ Biodegradation of atrazine and related s-triazine compounds: from enzyme to field studies
[17] Adapted from J3D3, Wikipedia \\ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pathway_Atrazine_degradation.svg
[18] William L. Hunter and Dale L. Shaner \\ Biological Remediation of Groundwater Containing Both Nitrate and Atrazine
[19] S. Lazorko-Connon and G. Achari \\ Atrazine: its occurrence and treatment in water
[20] Roy R. Gu 2009 \\ Prediction of the Fate and transport Process of Atrazine in a Reservoir
[21] Cheuk Liua, D.H. Bennettb, W.E. Kastenbergc, T.E. McKoned, D. Brownea \\ A multimedia, multiple pathway exposure assessment of atrazine: fate, transport and uncertainty analysis