The assertion in the MAHA Commission’s report that pesticides such as atrazine are responsible for childhood illness is irresponsible, inaccurate, and is not backed by credible scientific data, according to the Triazine Network, a coalition of agriculture groups involved in the regulation of the triazine herbicides including atrazine. The report as presented creates threatening, groundless fears, and unfairly casts doubt on the integrity of the federal pesticidal review process. Several of the agriculture organizations involved with the Triazine Network released statements on the MAHA Commission report questioning the inclusion of highly regulated crop protection tools.
Atrazine is easily the most studied herbicide in history and boasts the longest safety record of any herbicide. Over 7,000 studies have been conducted on atrazine since it was first approved for use in the U.S. in 1958. EPA and other regulatory agencies have reviewed the vast amount of research on atrazine in regulatory actions for environmental and human health. Time and again, atrazine has been found to be safe.
EPA’s system for testing and regulating crop protection tools, including atrazine, is extensive and very robust, and contains multiple safety factors that are especially protective for child health, with the goal of keeping our food supply and environment safe.
“While the regulatory process for atrazine has been seemingly never-ending, and while we don’t always agree with EPA’s determinations on atrazine, we respect the system that is bound by federal law to use credible scientific research to arrive at regulatory decisions,” said Greg Krissek, Triazine Network co-chair. “Simply put, the U.S. regulatory system is the gold standard for the world.”
Pesticide review policies must be strictly grounded in credible, sound science. The misuse of such misinformation and inappropriate studies becomes a threat to the implementation of proper review and decision-making processes. The Triazine Network will remain engaged and provide information to the commission as it prepares its recommendations which are due to be released in August.
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