I created a powerpoint presentation for a class. It should be very enlightening to Southern Illinois or any midwestern resident.

1. Edgar Perez
Tyson West

2.  Atrazine is an agricultural herbicide that is widely used by farmers to control broadleaf
weeds and grasses that interfere with the growth of corn, sorghum, sugar cane and other
crops.
 Atrazine has been produced by Swiss company Syngenta since 1959.
 The herbicide has been banned in the European Union since 2004—individual countries in
Europe banned Atrazine as early as 1991—but 80 million pounds of the stuff is used each
year in the United States.
 Atrazine is volatile, but may remain attached to soil particles for up to 100 days.
 Has been detected up to 180 miles away from its source of input to the extent that there
are virtually no Atrazine free environments in the US.
 Is toxic to aquatic species
 Most common molecule found in groundwater, and surface water.
 But farmers defend it’s use because it increases agricultural yield.

3.  Effects on the Nervous System
Atrazine alters central nervous system production of two chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine. Both transmit nerve impulses
between nervous system cells, and act as hormones. Altered production of these chemicals, in turn, alters levels of two
hormones, prolactin and luteinizing hormone.
 Effects on the Immune System
According to the National Toxicology Program, atrazine is ―immunotoxic,‖ disrupting the function of the immune system. For
example, it decreased the production of interferon, a molecule that fights viral infection. Also reduces white blood cells.
 Effects on the Liver and Kidneys
 Effects on the Heart
 Effects on Hormones
Exposure to atrazine also disrupts hormone systems. Detailed research, much of it done by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), showed that testosterone, prolactin, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and a thyroid hormone are all
affected by atrazine.
 Effects on Reproduction
In an Ontario [Canada] Farm Family Health Study, the incidence of premature birth in families in which the father applied
atrazine on the farm was nearly double that of families in which the father was not exposed to pesticides.
 Effects on Development
 Mutagenicity
 Carcinogenicity
Atrazine has caused genetic damage in a variety of laboratory studies. A study on workers at an atrazine production facility found
that ―occupational exposure to atrazine causes a significant increase in the percentage of chromosomal damage‖ in the workers’
blood cells.
 Special Susceptibility to Children
http://www.pesticide.org/get-the-facts/pesticide-factsheets/factsheets/atrazine

4. Atrazine-induced deformations in frogs
 Atrazine is frequently detected in aquatic waters, and has been known to affect reproduction
of aquatic flora and fauna, which in turn impacts on the community structure as a whole.
 Atrazine Threatens Amphibians: The chemical is a potent endocrine disruptor that causes
immunosuppression, hermaphroditism and even complete sex reversal in male frogs at
concentrations as low as 2.5 parts per billion (ppb)—well below the 3.0 ppb that the EPA
says is safe.
 The public health issue is a growing concern, because atrazine is also the most commonly
detected pesticide in American groundwater. An extensive U.S. Geological Survey study
found atrazine in approximately 75 percent of stream water and about 40 percent of
groundwater samples in the agricultural areas tested. More recent data showed atrazine
present in 80 percent of drinking water samples taken from 153 public water systems.
 Atrazine has also been reported by the National Institute for Health and Environmental
Sciences to be an Obesogen.

6.  EPA received a May 6, 2011, petition from the group Save the Frogs, requesting the
agency to ban the use and production of atrazine. EPA has posted the petition for public
comment, which is consistent with its stated goal to be open and transparent in scientific and
regulatory processes.
 A blatant example of greenwashing can be found on Syngenta’s, Atrazine.com, website with a
similar link to ―Save the Frogs‖. Why would a company that poses no risk to biological
organisms need to absolve themselves of wrong-doing?
 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 GUIDELINES ARE THE MOST STRINGENT UP-TO-DATE. BUT ARE THEY
REALLY?

7.  Monitoring programs were not designed to find the biggest problems: The EPA’s monitoring
program for atrazine was poorly designed and is not apt to find the most troubling
results, which makes the statistics even more alarming. For example, samples taken
before a rainstorm washes pesticides into a watershed will show much lower
concentrations of pesticide than samples taken after a rainstorm, which can capture the
contaminated field. (NRDC)
 The EPA is ignoring the atrazine: Because of the potential adverse effects associated with
even short exposures to atrazine, the spikes detected in the watersheds and the public drinking
water systems are particularly alarming. Yet, because the EPA focuses on average
concentrations of atrazine, it has ignored these peaks.
 The European Union has banned the use of atrazine. Their endpoint for toxicological
testing is at Sub-lethal levels, they are focused on morphological, physiological, behavioral
and biochemical changes. Therefore, a chemical is considered toxic, if it substantially
reduces an organisms ability to forage, by any change mentioned above. Highly
regulated. The EPA on the other hand, uses lethal levels as its endpoint (5% mortality
rate). Therefore, it is not considered toxic unless it kills a percentage of organisms from
a population. Needs more stringent regulation, at the moment it is weak.

9.  From the previous map it is clear that Illinois, the
second-largest producer of corn, has taken a
substantial beating.
 Southern Illinois district towns, specifically
Hillsboro, Mattoon, Flora, Fairfield, Evansville, Illi
nois (Beloit, Kansas; Blanchester, Ohio;
Piqua, Ohio; Versailles, Indiana; and
Wyaconda,Missouri.
 Evansville, IL saw an especially disturbing
exceedence in 2005 as the amount of Atrazine in
finished (tap) water was 43.48 ppb, nearly 15 X’s
the “safe” limit.
 http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/us/NRDC-Atrazine-report.pdf

10.  The southern district of Illinois “won” an 8 year class
action lawsuit on May 24, 2012, that still awaits court
approval. The proposed settlement agreement would
award water systems a share from a $105 million
award.
 Water districts that have tested positive of an
exceedence in concentration of Atrazine could file an
grievance and be awarded a portion of the total $105
million.
 Syngenta also sought to expunge from the court
record their involvement in using previous vice
president of Monsanto, and current chairman of the
FDA, Michael R. Taylor, to lobby for setting EPA
regulation standards. As it as it had no relevance to
the case. Hmmm…

11.  Scientists, along with the EPA, believe the pesticide interferes with
endocrine hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. -- but has yet
to ban it.
 A new study released in the fall of 2011, compared woman in Vermont and
Illinois. The Illinois resident's tap water had double the concentration of
atrazine than the Vermont communities’ water. The study revealed that
women had significantly lower levels of estrogen during an important part
of the menstrual cycle.
 As a result, the women from Illinois farm towns were nearly five times
more likely to report irregular periods than the Vermont women, and
more than six times as likely to go more than six weeks between
periods.
http://inspirationgreen.com/atrazine-petitions.html

13.  Syngenta has spent millions on marketing, public relations (PR)
campaigns, and lobbying to maintain its market and fight calls to
phase atrazine out of use in the U.S. Some of that money has gone
to public university researchers. Dr. Paul Mitchell, Associate
Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at University of
Wisconsin – Madison has published two studies in tandem with
other members of Syngenta’s ―Atrazine Benefits Team,‖ funded by
Syngenta.
 Studies on the ―economic benefits‖ of atrazine and other related
herbicides in the triazine family are referenced in Syngenta’s Earth
Day press release.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-farming/atrazine-risks-hidden-
zwfz1202zhun.aspx#ixzz2NgBGnjzH

14. http://www.prwatch.org/files/images/
Final%20Puppet%20Show.jpg

15.  Fox News’ very own Steve Milloy
 ACSH’s Beth Whelan
 Hudson’s Alex Avery
 Richard “deep-pockets” Fawcett (upper right)
 University of Chicago’s, Don Corsey. Mascot
Don Corsey

16.  Commentator for FOX pseudo- news channel and runs a
website called junkscience.com.
 Has published a book called Junk Science Judo, with the
purpose to “debunk” health scares.
 Has been a member of special interest “spin groups” and
funded by ExxonMobil and received at least $180,000
from Philip Morris to debunk fears about the harmful
effects of smoking.
 He has also received a multiple unknown number of
$25,000 checks from Syngenta to defend their product
line and sway public opinion.
 Has attacked Tyrone Hayes multiple times and his
methods of studying amphibian hormone
disruption, saying his experiments were performed in
protocol, but has not said how these procedures were
indeed faulty.

17.  In 2010, Alex Avery, director of research and
education for the CGFI (Center for Global Food Issues)
at the Hudson Institute, has been sponsored by
Monsanto, Dow Agrisciences, and atleast $68,550
from Syngenta to dispute claims questioning the
adverse effects of Atrazine.
 Has been a crusader against organic food and a
proponent for “safe agrichemicals.
 Also attempts to slander and disprove Tyrone Hayes’
claims citing research by “independent scientists not
on chemical companies’ payroll.
 One such scientist, Dr. Werner Kloas, Professor of
Endocrinology at Humboldt University in Berlin, was
in fact contracted by Syngenta (PDF) to conduct EPA-
mandated studies on atrazine's effects on frogs.

18.  Mentioned earlier in presentation, Professor
of Public Policy Studies at Harris
School, University of Chicago, estimates that
Atrazine provides a total of 48,000 jerbs for
Americans!
 Speculates, based on collaborated
research, that the ban of Atrazine would cost
the farmer an “estimated” $28 per acre for
yield-loss, alternate methods, fuel costs, etc.
http://agsense.org/university-of-chicago-
professor-atrazine-means-jobs/

19.  American Council on Science and Health founder and
president, Beth Whelan’s personal crusade is to end the
“chemophobia (her clever word) of necessary agri-chemicals.
 Some of ACSH's published materials have a disclaimer saying
it accepts corporate donations but it "does not accept support
from individual corporations for specific research projects.“
 In a study to debunk the NY Times deep analysis of Atrazine
dangers, the ACSH sought to collect $100,000 from Syngenta
to fund refuting research.
 Whelan's group has annual income of about $2 million a
year, and she is paid over $350,000 in compensation from
this non-profit group funded by Syngenta and other global
corporations.

20.  Documents obtained by CMD show that Richard Fawcett, the
president of Fawcett Consulting firm, is also on Syngentas's
"benefits panel."
 Has concluded from research that Atrazine offers a
correlation between better crop yields and "atrazine helps
farmers by helping them help the environment.“ This is based
on the absence of necessary tilling between crop rotation that
contributes to excessive soil erosion.
 Adds personal accounts and states, “When I was a kid
growing up on a farm in Eastern Iowa, I wouldn't have
dreamed to see coyotes or otters or wild turkeys or even deer
on our farm. Today, wildlife is back…”
 CMD show that Fawcett's firm has been paid at least
$500,000 between 1995 and 2011 for his work that
promotes atrazine.
 http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/02/11276/syngentas-paid-third-
party-pundits-spin-news-atrazine

21.  Tim Pastoor, a toxicologist from Syngenta and a leading
“expert” on atrazine (also simazine and propazine). Atrazine has
come under fire in recent years from environmental groups, who
have lobbied the EPA to restrict atrazine's usage, claiming it is
harmful to humans and amphibians. Dr. Pastoor knows these
complaints well, but says the science does not back them up:
 Dr. Paul Mitchell: University of
Wisconsin, recently named
member of Atrazine benefits
team.
http://www.lexisnexis.com/community/environmentalclimatechangelaw/blogs/publichealthsafety/archive/2012/02/07/to
xicologist-responds-atrazine-critics-agricultural-law-crops-food-supply.aspx

22. Atrazine MSDS
 Atrazine can travel (seep or leach) through soil and can enter ground water which may
be used as drinking water. Atrazine has been found in ground water. Users are advised
not to apply atrazine to sand and loamy permeable soils where the water table
(ground water) is close to the surface.. Your local agricultural agencies can provide
further information on the type of soil in your area and the location of ground water.
 This pesticide is toxic to aquatic invertebrates. For terrestrial uses, do not apply
directly to water, or to areas where surface water is present or to intertidal areas below
the mean high water mark. Do not apply where runoff is likely to occur. Do not apply
when weather conditions favor drift from treated areas. Runoff and drift from treated
areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms and injurious to desirable plants in
neighboring areas. Do not contaminate water when disposing of equipment wash-waters.
http://www.southernag.com/docs/labels_msds/atraz.pdf

24. Syngenta also warns that
Atrazine only be applied by
qualified individuals. Who is
regulating the qualification of
these farmers?

25.  There Is No Need Denying This: Defusing the Confusion about Atrazine - TYRONE B. HAYES
 ―Recent studies from my laboratory, showing the chemical castration (demasculinization) and
feminization of amphibians by low but ecologically relevant concentrations of atrazine in the
laboratory and in the wild, prompted a critical response from atrazine’s manufacturer, Syngenta
Crop Protection, and Syngenta-funded scientists. A careful analysis of the published data funded
by Syngenta, and EPA by the Syngenta-funded panel for data evaluation, indicates that the data
presented in these studies are not in disagreement with my laboratory’s peer-reviewed, published
data. Further, the published and unpublished data presented to the EPA by the Syngenta-
funded panel (and touted in the popular press) suffer from contaminated laboratory
controls; high mortality; inappropriate measurements of hormone levels in
stressed, sexually immature animals during non-reproductive seasons; and contaminated
reference sites.
 The confounding factors in the industry-funded studies severely limit any conclusions about the
adverse effects of atrazine on amphibians and prevent meaningful comparisons with my
laboratory’s published data.

26.  http://youtu.be/3M
xrH4lN0-A

27.  The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness
Invokes the Data Quality Act to Reject
Published Studies on Atrazine Toxicity
 Author(s): Jon P. Devine, Jr. Reviewed work(s):
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3435763.
pdf

29.  The EPA says that atrazine below 3 ppb is
unsafe, especially to pregnant
women. Atrazine has been associated with
birth defects, low birth weights and
premature births.4 A Purdue University study
found that concentrations as low as .1 ppb
(30 times lower than allowed by the EPA) may
be associated with low birth weights

30.  What are the “Positive” affects of Atrazine use?
 According to a collaborative study performed by
Don Coursey the Ameritech Professor of Public
Policy at Harris School of Public Policy & University
of Chicago, an Atrazine ban would cost Illinois, the
second largest corn-producing state, an estimated
$159 to $555 million in crop-production and the
use of “less-effective” alternatives.
 The report did not factor the cost of environmental
remediation of other environmental
detriment, such as; topsoil loss, nutrient-robbing
weeds, etc.

31.  Banning Atrazine Would Not Hurt Farmers
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests that if atrazine were banned
in the United States, the drop in corn yields would be only about 1.19
percent, and the corn acreage would be reduced by only 2.35 percent. Dr. Frank
Ackerman, an economist at Tufts University, concluded that estimates of higher
corn losses were flawed due to problems in methodology.
 Ackerman found that despite a 1991 ban on atrazine in both Italy and
Germany, neither country has recorded significant adverse economic effects as
Italy and (especially) Germany show faster growth in harvested areas after banning
atrazine than before.‖
 Can't live without it? How are we living with it?
The EU banned atrazine in 2004 and is doing fine without it. Several countries that
have a policy of banning chemicals that occur in drinking water at levels higher
than 0.1 parts per billion.

32.  Http://www.atrazine.com/AtraMain.aspx
 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412001000319
 http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/How-Dangerous-Is-Atrazine.htm
 http://www.lexisnexis.com/community/environmental-
climatechangelaw/blogs/publichealthsafety/archive/2012/02/07/toxicologist-responds-
atrazine-critics-agricultural-law-crops-food-supply.aspx
 http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/us/NRDC-Atrazine-report.pdf
 http://www.foodrightsnetwork.org/2012/05/syngenta-celebrates-earth-day-by-ladling-on-the-
pesticides/#more-1465
 http://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-farming/ban-atrazine-
zmgz12amzrog.aspx#axzz2NNH6PAmQ