There are many environmental problems making the news on a daily basis. Most people are aware of common problems such as oil spills, global warming and toxic mold. However, many people might not consider that the water they're drinking could harm them. Many class-action lawsuits have been filed over the contamination of drinking water by the chemical atrazine.
What's Atrazine?
Atrazine is a weed-killer that's primarily used on cornfields. Farmers have used the herbicide for decades to control grassy and broadleaf weeds. It's the most common corn herbicide in the US, and multiple countries allow its use.
Atrazine has been found in the drinking water of many areas. The chemical can run off the fields into rivers and streams. It eventually ends up in the water supply of many towns and counties. Atrazine is one of the most common chemical contaminants found in US waters.
EPA Regulations
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the use of atrazine in agriculture. It regulates how much atrazine is allowed in the water supply. The amount allowed is called the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for atrazine in drinking water is three parts per billion. This level and below is considered safe by the EPA. However, the European Union has banned the use of atrazine on the basis there isn't enough evidence to prove its safety.
Dangers of Atrazine
Many cities and public water companies have filed federal class action lawsuits against the leading makers of atrazine. One reason is that atrazine has been allegedly found in water at higher levels than the MCL. The most common reason is that atrazine is allegedly dangerous in levels below the MCL.
Filtering water is very expensive for cities and companies. Removing atrazine from the water supply requires additional filtering. The lawsuits seek money from the manufacturers to pay for the removal of atrazine from the drinking water.
The lawsuits allege there are a variety of dangers from atrazine contamination. Some dangers are to the environment, and some are to the health of humans. Dangers alleged in the lawsuits include:
- Disrupts the reproductive systems of amphibians
- Increases the risk of breast and prostate cancers
- Fetal death
- Birth defects
- Low birth weights
- Premature births
- Increases toxic effect when combined with other chemicals
Defenses of Atrazine
The EPA is responsible for deciding whether herbicides are safe for use. The EPA conducted a comprehensive, science-based safety review of atrazine. It recommended the continued use of atrazine by farmers.
Atrazine manufacturers and farmers claim the lawsuits have only been brought for money reasons and not for safety reasons. They maintain Atrazine has been used for decades with no harm to the general population.
Manufacturers state the lawsuits make false allegations. The scientific research as to dangers to human health is questionable and lacking in evidence. They also claim common sense shows there's no danger since atrazine has been used for so long in many countries without problem.
Manufacturers want the lawsuits dismissed since removing EPA-approved levels of atrazine from the drinking water is unnecessary. Only time will tell whether courts will decide with the cities or the manufacturers.
Questions for Your Attorney
- Should I worry about atrazine in my drinking water?
- Are there any home filters I can use to remove atrazine from my water?
- Do I have the right to bring a lawsuit for water contamination if I believe my child's birth defect was a result of atrazine?