Atrazine is a chemical that contaminates water significantly. This herbicide is used frequently on corn, sugar canes, sorghum, non-specific herbicide, and other crops on industrial sites.
The chemical Atrazine is widely used today because of its effectiveness in reducing the loss of crops due to the interference of weeds. Furthermore, it also eliminates the need for inter-row cultivation in sorghum and other crop fields.
Because of its popularity and well-renowned components, it has become a concern to water suppliers. Thus, manufacturers ensure a long half-life of 60-100 days is not strongly absorbed by the oil.
Atrazine controls weeds and is non-toxic to animals. The reason is that it impedes photosynthesis in vulnerable plants. However, a study showed a significant effect of Atrazine on an animal. A mammary tumor was found in a two-generation rat study that triggered an additional safety factor.
Results found in an MCL (maximum tolerated level) show that the atrazine has three parts per billion (ppb) or a total of the 5,000-fold safety factor. Most importantly, according to EPA, this is the atrazine concentration, which gives safe drinking water to consumers for an average of the 70-year human lifespan.
Atrazine's acute oral toxicity in laboratory rats is 5,100 mg/kg. A probability of a 50% increase in death rates will occur if a 0.75 pound of atrazine is digested by a 150-pound person in a single dose, 2.5 ounces of aspirin. On the other hand, one-half pound of table salt would relatively produce the same probability of a person's death due to acute poisoning.
If you're drinking water contaminated by atrazine, the effects would be severe. One of which is to experience or suffer from low birth weight. In addition, it also increases the number of illnesses in babies. So, they experience diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at an early age.
How Atrazine Affects the Human Health
People live in areas near a variety of crops wherein Atrazine is commonly injected. These crops are contaminated by the said chemical through water intake. Some people work in certain factories, which exposes them to Atrazine. As a result, they risk their health in acquiring serious health illnesses.
Some scientists use different tests to protect people from the harmful effects of Atrazine. Chemicals harm the health of a person. A person learns or knows if the chemicals hurt them because they are absorbed, released, and used by the body. One of the primary indicators to know if Atrazine has affected your health is the sudden change in your reproductive system.
Here are other effects of Atrazine when contaminated with water:
- Hormonal Irregularities for Women
According to a new study, women who drink water contaminated by Atrazine are more likely to have low estrogen levels and irregular menstrual flow. Women drink contaminated water that carries Atrazine. As a result, the fertility rate decreases significantly. Thus, it reduces the chances of women getting pregnant.
- Endocrine Disruption
Atrazine affects the hormonal system as it continues to grow. It causes a delay in puberty and changes the level of key hormones. According to studies, it converts testosterone to estrogen.
- Reproductive Effects
Atrazine distracts hormones. Exposure to herbicides can affect the reproductive system. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and a case of abdominal defects. It can also lessen male fertility and congenital disability.
- Cancer
It shows evidence that carcinogenic potential is growing when combined with atrazine. Exposure of the body to atrazine can cause risks of breast and prostate cancer. Take note that atrazine has carcinogenic properties.
Removing Atrazine in Drinking Water
Here are three options to choose from on how to remove atrazine in drinking water.
Using a Private Well Treatment
Treatment options are one way to remove or eliminate Atrazine from any water source. Granular Activated Carbon Filtration positively affects the increase in the usage rate of consumers. It includes a point-of-use device (kitchen sink filter) or star treatment (by entry to homes or by well). Ensure that any treatment system is used by recognizable and certified by a third-party testing organization that sees strict testing procedures built by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Treatment equipment works properly if carefully maintained. If Atrazine levels are high, it might not be that effective anymore. It is recommended that untreated water must be tested every three years, while treated water must be tested every year or once a year.
By Operators of Public Drinking System
Atrazine lessens by three parts per billion through the use of granular activated carbon filtration. Remember that not all treatments are effective, and not all treatments can remove all contaminants in water in just one single filtration process. Atrazine avoids contaminating water sources by flowing right off an agricultural runoff.
Remember that wherever we go, we will always give everything for the safeness of our health. Having crystal clear drinking water means that we will also have a crystal clear future ahead of us.← Older Post Newer Post →