" Pesticides are designed to be persistent and can stay concentrated in water for long periods of time. Pesticides include miticides, rodenticides, nematicides, fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. They can kill wildlife such as birds, fish, and other animals.
The pesticides trade is one of the most controlled trades in the United States. It can take up to ten years of testing before a pesticide is registered by the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) and approved for use. Once a pesticide is registered for use, the pesticide is continually tested to ensure the information and labeling on the pesticide is accurate. For example, further tests were made concerning unsafe levels of Simazine in drinking water, which led to new requirements, by the E.P.A. in the labeling of products containing Simazine. For drinking water standards the E.P.A. has established the M.C.L. "Maximum Contaminant Level". The E.P.A. will not make a statement about any pesticide being "safe".
Atrazine, also called G-30027, Gesaprim, Crisazina, Altikon, Malermais, Simazat, Zeapos, Primartol, Giffex 4L, Atred, Aatrex, Atranex, Atratol, Atrataf, Azinotox, Alazine, and Farmco Atrazine. Atrazine is a type of pesticide called an herbicide. An herbicide is a toxic chemical that kills unwanted plants such as weeds. Herbicides come in many different forms that include sprays, and powders. Some herbicides also come mixed in with fertilizers. Even though herbicides are not used on animals if used excessively they can be highly toxic to animals and humans. Atrazine is a Restricted Use Pesticide (R.U.P.) and all products containing it must include CAUTION. The maximum amount of Atrazine in drinking water is 3 PPB by EPA standards. Atrazine has been proven toxic to fish from bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation, also called biomagnification is the process of chemicals being passed through the food chain and being absorbed each step of the way until the concentration of the chemical reaches a harmful level and when it is continually consumed, the animals at or toward the top of the food chain ingest dangerous levels of the chemical.
