Minnesota Conducts Its Own Review of Atrazine

"It's been only three years since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) after one of the most exhaustive scientific investigations of a commercial product ever undertaken, reauthorized use of the herbicide atrazine, the longtime weed-killing staple of corn growers everywhere. Now, nine months into a new administration that has promised a renewed commitment to science and greater transparency on environmental issues, the EPA says it will re-evaluate atrazine yet again.

The agency's Oct. 7 announcement came just weeks ahead of the expected release of a separate, yearlong study of atrazine done jointly by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the state's Department of Health, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Gregg Regimbal, supervisor of the Pesticide Management Unit in the state's Agriculture Department -- which, along with the EPA, has regulatory authority over restricted-use farm chemicals in the state -- said it would be premature to speculate on whether atrazine use in Minnesota will be modified as a result of the study, but that the review has been 'worthwhile.'"

William Souder reports for MinnPost October 28, 2009.