Atrazine, the second most widely used herbicide in the U.S., was classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” Group 2A, by the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency. This new evaluation confirms both the first—glyphosate—and second most used herbicides in the nation’s farm belt carry potential health and environmental concerns.
The study, conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), found limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and “convincing evidence” of cancer in laboratory animals, according to U.S. Right to Know.
“There is ‘strong’ mechanistic evidence that atrazine exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens” the study said.
Research has linked atrazine to various cancer types in agricultural workers, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate cancer. Studies have also confirmed the herbicide to be an endocrine disruptor, disturbing hormones and altering normal cell growth.
The evaluation came on the basis of the combinations of (i) limited evidence for cancer in humans and sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals; and (ii) limited evidence for cancer in humans and strong mechanistic evidence in experimental systems, according to IARC’s website.
While atrazine was banned in the European Union and other countries because of potential health and environmental risks, it’s remained widely used in the U.S. on crops such as corn. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it is a common contaminant in drinking water.
The manufacturer, Syngenta, disagrees with the findings and asserts the safety of atrazine when used as directed. Syngenta said with a long history of research and use and regulatory authorities who have previously concluded atrazine safe, they stand by their product.
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