Water Contamination: Toxic Weed Killer Atrazine More Testing Needed?

There are growing public health concerns about atrazine in our water supply, an agricultural weedkiller sprayed on farm fields across the Midwest. In most cases drinking water is tested for the chemical only four times a year. The testing of the water is so infrequent that spikes atrazine in water are likely go undetected. In some instances very high levels of the herbicide can linger in tap water during the growing season, according to more frequent tests in some agricultural communities.

Spread heaviest on cornfields crops, atrazine is one of the most widely detected contaminants in drinking water. Studies have found that exposure to small amounts of the chemical can turn male frogs into females and might be more harmful to humans than once thought.

Manufacturers say their own research proves the chemical is safe. But alarmed by other studies, the Obama administration is conducting a broad review that could lead to tighter restrictions. It is also mulling changes in laws that require water utilities to test for atrazine just once a quarter or, in some cases, once a year.

Any wide spread public health concern, such as contaminates in our drinking water should gain the full attention of regulating authorities. Until this happens you can protect your drinking water from these and other potential water contaminates. The first step is to know what contaminates your water does or does not contain. To do this all you need simple Home Water Test Kit. After getting the results then you can take corrective actions by using a water filter systems such as reverse osmosis systems, water distillers, and whole house water filtration systems.