Source: EPA
 

EPA is seeking public comment on a petition from the environmental advocacy group Save the Frogs, requesting that EPA ban the use and production of atrazine. This petition, available at  EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0586, was submitted on May 6, 2011. Comments must be received on or before November 14, 2011.

Atrazine passes the most stringent, up-to-date safety requirements in the world. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority have concluded atrazine is safe at levels found in the environment.  In addition, the World Health Organization has also favorably reviewed atrazine (2007, 2010).

EPA’s April 2010 update on atrazine contained the following statement on amphibians “…atrazine does not adversely affect amphibian gonadal development based on a review of laboratory and field studies, including studies submitted by the registrant and studies published in the scientific literature. At this time, EPA believes that no additional testing is warranted to address this issue.” 

None of the information submitted in the Save the Frogs’ petition justifies a change in EPA’s 2010 conclusions or a need for regulatory action.

Unrelated to this petition, EPA had already planned to update its atrazine review on ecological and aquatic systems, including any recent publications and data on amphibians. This review will also include a Scientific Advisory Panel meeting in 2012.