Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act to ban the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide products containing the herbicide atrazine.
Atrazine, which is directly derived from oil and gas, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to significant health concerns such as a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm. The herbicide is also commonly detected in drinking water from agricultural runoff, and water utilities serving over 40 million Americans have detected it. Additionally, atrazine is highly toxic to wildlife.
The global community has recognized the dangers of atrazine, with 44 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America either banning or phasing out the herbicide. The benefits of prohibiting atrazine are clear: it will safeguard human and animal health, enhance the ecological balance of agricultural regions, and facilitate the shift towards sustainable farming practices.
“Despite its well-documented risks to human health and its environmental impact, atrazine remains the second most used herbicide in the United States,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “It is well past time for our nation to make a crucial transition from atrazine to safer and more sustainable practices. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act, to protect the health of American families, our environment, and wildlife from this dangerous herbicide.”
“This country deserves a food system that feeds everyone while doing right by people and the planet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Farmers and farmworkers should be able to trust that the tools they use do not pose a risk to themselves, their communities, or the ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Atrazine is a proven danger to human health and the environment, and it is long past time to join so many other countries in ending its use and choosing safer alternatives.”
The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act is endorsed by a range of environmental and health organizations, including Center for Biological Diversity, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Working Group, Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, American Bird Conservancy, National Center for Health Research, Green America, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Toxic Free NC, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Environmental Protection Information Center.
“Atrazine is banned across much of the world for good reason. This highly toxic pesticide causes significant harm at low doses and has already contaminated most of our nation’s waterways.” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This bill will put the United States on equal footing with more than 35 nations that have already ended use of atrazine and protect people and our environment from this dangerous pesticide.”
“Without question, atrazine and the compounds it degrades into are highly toxic to birds,” said Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy. “We offer our thanks and appreciation to Congressmen Nadler and McGovern for their leadership in removing this toxic herbicide from our communities and ecosystems.”
“Although used on food crops, researchers believe that atrazine’s greatest risk to human health is that this deadly chemical contaminates our water supply,” said the National Center for Health Research. “That’s why it should be banned, as Europe has done for the last 20 years and that’s why we enthusiastically support this life-saving legislation.”
In addition to Representatives Nadler and McGovern, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).
The bill text can be found here.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2024
CONTACT: Matt Jansen (202) 494-1278
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act to ban the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide products containing the herbicide atrazine.
Atrazine, which is directly derived from oil and gas, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to significant health concerns such as a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm. The herbicide is also commonly detected in drinking water from agricultural runoff, and water utilities serving over 40 million Americans have detected it. Additionally, atrazine is highly toxic to wildlife.
The global community has recognized the dangers of atrazine, with 44 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America either banning or phasing out the herbicide. The benefits of prohibiting atrazine are clear: it will safeguard human and animal health, enhance the ecological balance of agricultural regions, and facilitate the shift towards sustainable farming practices.
“Despite its well-documented risks to human health and its environmental impact, atrazine remains the second most used herbicide in the United States,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler. “It is well past time for our nation to make a crucial transition from atrazine to safer and more sustainable practices. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act, to protect the health of American families, our environment, and wildlife from this dangerous herbicide.”
“This country deserves a food system that feeds everyone while doing right by people and the planet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Farmers and farmworkers should be able to trust that the tools they use do not pose a risk to themselves, their communities, or the ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Atrazine is a proven danger to human health and the environment, and it is long past time to join so many other countries in ending its use and choosing safer alternatives.”
The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act is endorsed by a range of environmental and health organizations, including Center for Biological Diversity, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Working Group, Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, American Bird Conservancy, National Center for Health Research, Green America, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Toxic Free NC, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Environmental Protection Information Center.
“Atrazine is banned across much of the world for good reason. This highly toxic pesticide causes significant harm at low doses and has already contaminated most of our nation’s waterways.” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This bill will put the United States on equal footing with more than 35 nations that have already ended use of atrazine and protect people and our environment from this dangerous pesticide.”
“Without question, atrazine and the compounds it degrades into are highly toxic to birds,” said Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy. “We offer our thanks and appreciation to Congressmen Nadler and McGovern for their leadership in removing this toxic herbicide from our communities and ecosystems.”
“Although used on food crops, researchers believe that atrazine’s greatest risk to human health is that this deadly chemical contaminates our water supply,” said the National Center for Health Research. “That’s why it should be banned, as Europe has done for the last 20 years and that’s why we enthusiastically support this life-saving legislation.”
In addition to Representatives Nadler and McGovern, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).
The bill text can be found here.
###
U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan, and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2024
CONTACT: Matt Jansen (202) 494-1278
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act to ban the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide products containing the herbicide atrazine.
Atrazine, which is directly derived from oil and gas, is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to significant health concerns such as a higher risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, congenital disabilities, and reproductive harm. The herbicide is also commonly detected in drinking water from agricultural runoff, and water utilities serving over 40 million Americans have detected it. Additionally, atrazine is highly toxic to wildlife.
The global community has recognized the dangers of atrazine, with 44 nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America either banning or phasing out the herbicide. The benefits of prohibiting atrazine are clear: it will safeguard human and animal health, enhance the ecological balance of agricultural regions, and facilitate the shift towards sustainable farming practices.
“Despite its well-documented risks to human health and its environmental impact, atrazine remains the second most used herbicide in the United States,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler. “It is well past time for our nation to make a crucial transition from atrazine to safer and more sustainable practices. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act, to protect the health of American families, our environment, and wildlife from this dangerous herbicide.”
“This country deserves a food system that feeds everyone while doing right by people and the planet,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Farmers and farmworkers should be able to trust that the tools they use do not pose a risk to themselves, their communities, or the ecosystems that sustain their livelihoods. Atrazine is a proven danger to human health and the environment, and it is long past time to join so many other countries in ending its use and choosing safer alternatives.”
The Ban Atrazine Toxicants Act is endorsed by a range of environmental and health organizations, including Center for Biological Diversity, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Endangered Habitats League, Environmental Working Group, Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh, Rachel Carson Council, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, American Bird Conservancy, National Center for Health Research, Green America, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Toxic Free NC, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, Environmental Protection Information Center.
“Atrazine is banned across much of the world for good reason. This highly toxic pesticide causes significant harm at low doses and has already contaminated most of our nation’s waterways.” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This bill will put the United States on equal footing with more than 35 nations that have already ended use of atrazine and protect people and our environment from this dangerous pesticide.”
“Without question, atrazine and the compounds it degrades into are highly toxic to birds,” said Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy. “We offer our thanks and appreciation to Congressmen Nadler and McGovern for their leadership in removing this toxic herbicide from our communities and ecosystems.”
“Although used on food crops, researchers believe that atrazine’s greatest risk to human health is that this deadly chemical contaminates our water supply,” said the National Center for Health Research. “That’s why it should be banned, as Europe has done for the last 20 years and that’s why we enthusiastically support this life-saving legislation.”
In addition to Representatives Nadler and McGovern, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).
The bill text can be found here.
###
U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler represents New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan, and serves as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.