Atrazine is an herbicide that is effective in controlling a broad range of weeds. Atrazine has been reported to cause cancer in certain laboratory animals, have diverse effects on the reproductive system in animals and humans, and disrupt the normal function of the endocrine system.1,2,3 Chronic exposure of frogs to atrazine significantly alters the expression of several genes, especially those involved in growth and metabolism.4 The United States Environmental Protection Agency currently allows the use of atrazine as an herbicide but in 2009, launched a comprehensive new evaluation to determine its effects on humans.
1.Eldridge, J.C., Wetzel, L.T., Stevens, J.T., et al.The mammary tumor response in triazine-treated female rats: A threshold-mediated interaction with strain and species-specific reproductive senescenceSteroids64672-678(1999) 2.Goldman, J.M., Stoker, T.E., and Cooper, R.L.Neuroendocrine and reproductive effects of contemporary-use pesticidesToxicol. Ind. Health15(1-2)26-36(1999) 3.Hayes, T.B., Collins, A., Lee, M., et al.Hermaphroditic, demasculinized frogs after exposure to the herbicide atrazine at low ecologically relevant dosesProc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA99(8)5476-5480(2002) 4.Langerveld, A.J., Celestine, R., Zaya, R., et al.Chronic exposure to high levels of atrazine alters expression of genes that regulate immune and growth-related functions in developing Xenopus laevis tadpolesEnviron. Res.109379-389(2009)