Carcinogenic Pesticides in Midwest Drinking Water

Carcinogenic Pesticides in Midwest Drinking Water

2007 September -   New federal water quality data 
obtained by the Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, confirms high 
levels of the carcinogenic pesticide Atrazine in Midwest drinking water 
supplies. 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, data shows raised Atrazine 
levels in 94 of 136 water systems tested at the source. Tests were 
conducted in Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota and Nebraska. 
NRDC researchers evaluated new Atrazine monitoring data collected by the 
EPA through two monitoring programs implemented from 2003 to 2006, 
primarily in Midwest states. 
Ecological monitoring in 10 states shows that nearly all of 40 monitored 
watersheds had Atrazine concentrations at levels known to harm aquatic 
habitat and cause reproductive abnormalities in fish and amphibians. 
Between 1998 and 2003, more than seven million Americans were served 
drinking water with Atrazine at levels that exceed the current federal tap 
water standard, the NRDC says. 
Atrazine is a white, crystalline solid organic compound. It is a widely 
used herbicide for control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Atrazine was 
estimated to be the most heavily used herbicide in the United States in 
the years 1987 to 1989, with its most extensive use for corn and soybeans 
in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and 
Wisconsin. Effective in 1993, its uses were greatly restricted, according 
to the EPA. 
Human exposure to Atrazine has been associated with multiple forms of 
cancer, including lung, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple 
myeloma, ovarian, and colon cancer. 
"Atrazine contamination in the Midwest is pervasive, hazardous, and 
unnecessary," said Jonathan Kaplan, senior policy specialist with NRDC. 
"Congress should use the Farm Bill to provide farmers with the tools and 
incentives they need to maximize pest control alternatives. Pending Farm 
Bill legislation actually protects the most hazardous pesticides." 
Farm Bill legislation approved by the House, expected to be considered by 
the Senate later this month, would make it nearly impossible for the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to encourage farmers to use environmentally 
friendly pesticide choices through conservation programs, the 
environmental group says. 
NRDC research finds that only three percent of the $800 million paid to 
farmers in 2005 was allocated to pest-control projects. The allocation was 
lower, or zero, in many Midwestern states with pervasive Atrazine 
contamination. 
The EPA's regulation for Atrazine became effective in 1992. Between 1993 
and 1995, EPA required water suppliers to collect water samples every 
three months for one year and analyze them to find out if atrazine was 
present above one part per billion. If it was present above this level the 
system must continue to monitor this contaminant. 
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the allowed 
level, water suppliers must take steps to reduce the amount of atrazine so 
that it is consistently below that level by removing it with granular 
activated charcoal. 

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