Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 9/28/20


Background
Atrazine and simazine are triazine herbicides registered for pre- and post-emergent control of many broadleaf and grassy weeds. The efficacy and cost associated with these herbicides make them a common choice among warm-season turfgrass managers. Currently, they are registered for use on golf courses, athletic fields, residential/commercial lawns, sod farms as well as agronomic crops such as corn, sugarcane, conifers, orchard, vineyard, and berry crops.

What Happened?
The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 dictates that at least once every 15 years, registered pesticides must undergo review. This review, undertaken by the US EPA determines whether a pesticide continues to meet standards for registration. In January 2020, US EPA announced the proposed interim decision for simazine and atrazine and took public comments for 60 days. In September 2020, the agency released the interim decision for simazine and atrazine and the full summaries are accessible at: Atrazine and Simazine.

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