EPA Seeks Comments on Petition to Ban Use and Production of Atrazine

OABA Encourages Members Using Atrazine to Post Comments

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comments on a petition from the group, “Save the Frogs,” asking the agency to ban the use and production of atrazine. EPA has posted the petition for public comment, consistent with its goal to be open and transparent in scientific and regulatory processes.

The petition cites studies that it claims points to atrazine’s toxic effects on male frogs, but over the last several years, organizations including the EPA, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and the World Health Organization reviewed the herbicide, and studies by the EPA and several independent laboratories have indicated no effects by atrazine on amphibians. In 2010, the EPA stated, “EPA believes that no additional testing is warranted to address this issue.”

Based on these facts, atrazine supporters believe the Save the Frogs petition does not justify a change in EPA's 2010 conclusion or prove a need for additional regulatory action. If you use atrazine as part of your business operation, OABA urges you submit comments to the EPA. All comments regarding this petition are due November 14, 2011 to EPA docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0586.