Protection from pesticides

The Natural Resource Defense Council, an environmental action group, has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency for what it calls "secret, backroom deals" with global pesticide giant Syngenta over the regulation of atrazine.

Although the EU has banned the use of atrazine -- a potent, broad-based weed killer -- the chemical is still used here in the U.S. on corn and soybean crops, as well as public/private lands such as golf courses. According to New Farm reports, more than 70 million pounds of atrazine are used annually in the United States. Atrazine is found most commonly in the nation's water supply, where chemical runoff collects and contaminates ground water and wells.

Scientists have linked atrazine exposure to serious health issues, including hormonal problems as well as cancer. A 2003 report from UC Berkeley scientists found that frogs suffered reproductive abnormalities as a result of atrazine exposure (the report is here; the furor in the industry as a result is chronicled here; Syngenta's comments are here.)

The NRDC has repeatedly called for the EPA to ban the use of atrazine; in October 2003, however, the agency re-confirmed the chemical's registration and continues to allow its use.