United States
.^Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
4601
EPA811-F-95-003 d-C
October 1 995
<>EPA National Primary Drinking
Water Regulations
Atrazine
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public
or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if
found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
WHAT is
ATRAZINE
AND HOW IS IT USED?
DRINKING WATER
STANDARDS:
MCLG: ,
MCL:
3 PPB
'3 PPB
Atrazine is a white, crystalline solid organic compound. It is a widely used
herbicide.for control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Atrazine was estimated to be
the most heavily used herbicide in the United States in 1987/89, with its most
extensive use for corn and soybeans in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,
Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. Effective in 1993, its uses were greatly
restricted.
The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you are using
this chemical at home or work.
WHY is ATRAZINE
BEING REGULATED?
WHAT ARE THE
HEALTH EFFECTS?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA
to determine safe levels of chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause
health problems. These non-enforceable levels, based solely
on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum
Contaminant Level Goals.
The MCLG for atrazine has been set at 3 parts per billion (ppb)
because EPA believes this level of protection would not cause
any of the health effects described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard
called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as
close to the MCLGs as possible, considering the ability of public
water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suit-
able treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 3 ppb because EPA believes, given
present technology and resources, this is the lowest level to
which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this
contaminant should it occur in drinking water.
These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensur-
ing these standards are met, are called National Primary Drink-
ing Water Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by
these regulations.
Short-term: EPA has found atrazine to potentially cause the
following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels
TRADE NAMES AND
SYNONYMS:
AATREX
ACTINITE PK
AKTICON .
ARGEZIN
ATAZINAX
ATRANEX
ATRATAF
ATRED
CANDEX
CEKUZINA-T
CHROMOZIN
CRISATRINA
CYAZIN
FENAMIN
FENATROL
GESAPRIM
GRIFFEX
• HUNGAZIN
INAKOR
PITEZIN
PRIMATOL
RAOAZIN
STRAZINE
VECTAL •
WEEDEX A
WONUK
ZEAPOS
ZEAZINE
October 7995
Consumer Version
Printed on Recycled Paper
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above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: congestion of heart, lungs and
kidneys; low blood pressure; muscle spasms; Weight loss; damage to adrenal
glands.
Long-term : Atrazine has the potential to cause the following effects from a
lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: weight loss, cardiovascular damage,
retinal and some muscle degeneration; dancer.
Atrazine may be released to the environment in wastewater from manufactur- How MUCH ATRAZINE
ing’facilities and through its use as a herbicide. Atrazine was the second most IS PRODUCED AND
frequently detected pesticide in EPA’s National Survey of Pesticides in Drinking RELEASED TO THE
Water Wells. EPA’s Pesticides in Ground Water Database indicates numerous ENVIRONMENT?
detections of atrazi ne at concentrations above the MCL in ground water in several -
States, including Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska and, New -York.
Microbial activity and other chemicals’may breakdown atrazine in soil and WHAT HAPPENS TO
water, particularly in alkaline conditions. Sunlight andevaporation do not reduce ATRAZINE
its presence. .lt may bind .to some soils, but generally tends to leach to ground WHEN ITIS RELEASED TO
water. THE ENVIRONMENT?
Atrazine is not likely to be taken in the tissues of plants or animals.
HOW WILL
The regulation for atrazine became effective in 1992; Between 1993 and 1995, ATRAZINE
EPA required your water.supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one BE DETECTED IN AND
year and analyze them to find out if atrazine is present above I ppb. If it is present REMOVED FROM
above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant. M DRINKiNG WATER,?
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water
supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of atrazine so that it is consistently
below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA
for remäving atrazine: Granular activated charcoal.
If the levels bf atrazine exceed the MCL, 3 ppb, the system must notify the public How IWU I KNOW IF
ATRAZINE IS IN MY
via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing DRINKiNG WATER?
alternative drinking water supplies, maybe required to prevent serious risks to
public health.
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a
about their drinking water, and to support local efforts valuable source of information.
to protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking For help in locating these agencies or for information or
water. Your water bill or telephone book’s govern- dnnking water in general, call:
ment listings are a good starting point. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotliné: (800) 426-4791.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the For additional information on the uses and releases of
chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how chemicals in your state, contact the:
your water is treated. . Community Right to-Know Hotline: (800) 535-0202.
October 1995 Consumer Version - . Page 2
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