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Atrazine
Level 4 — Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources
Atrazine is a pesticide residue — Most commonly used herbicide in US on maize, sorghum, sugarcane
What it does
Most commonly used herbicide in US on maize, sorghum, sugarcane
Where you'll see it
Maize, sorghum, sugarcane residues
What the research says
Endocrine disrupter. Produces frogs with both male and female sex organs at levels 30x lower than EPA 'safe' levels. Disturbs amphibian breeding cycles. Tadpoles developed deformed hearts and impaired kidneys when exposed to atrazine.
[metabolical] Herbicide used primarily on corn since 1958. Induces mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance, drives diabetes, and alters DNA methylation (epigenetics). Known teratogen in amphibians at low doses; may act as a selective antibiotic on the human microbiome.
Regulatory status
- Notes: EU dangerous chemical for elimination as pollutant in water
Sources
- Metabolical (Lustig) — Chapter 20: atrazine is a known teratogen (causes birth defects) in amphibians… also been shown to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance, diabetes, and methylation, influencing epigenetics
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): the pesticide produces frogs with both male and female sex organs at levels thirty times lower than this