A new, comprehensive evaluation of atrazine has been announced by the U.S. EPA. The agency says the evaluation could result in risk assessment revisions and possibly new restrictions that it says would protect public health.
EPA’s Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances assistant administrator Steve Owens says EPA is taking a hard look at the decision made by the previous administration on atrazine.
On the other hand, Kansas Corn Growers Executive Director Jere White advocates keeping atrazine on the market. He says EPA examination of the herbicide goes back further than the Bush Administration.
“Some of the most scientific findings supporting the continued use of the product occurred during the Clinton Administration,” said White. “But quite frankly there’s new people, finding new positions and there’s an educational process that needs to continue.”
One of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s priorities is to improve the way EPA manages and assesses the risk of chemicals, including pesticides,
The evaluation will take place over the coming year.
Brownfield’s Tom Steever contributed to this story.
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