APVMA to have atrazine studies formally assessed
9 March 2010
The APVMA has taken note of a number of new studies that have associated atrazine with potential human health and environmental risks. The APVMA will ask the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Department of Health and Ageing to assess these studies to see if they change any previous advice these agencies have provided.
The studies in question include:
- Research by Prof Tyrone Hayes that atrazine turns male frogs into females (external site)
- Research by Dr Sarah Waller and her team at the University of Washington in Seattle that links atrazine to the birth defect gastroschisis - Agricultural-related chemical exposures, season of conception, and risk of gastroschisis in Washington State (external site)
- The effects of atrazine on freshwater fish and amphibians (external site)
The APVMA takes very seriously any new research suggesting adverse environmental or human health impacts attributable to pesticides.
Our current regulatory setting is based on the internationally accepted scientific understanding that atrazine does not pose a risk to human health and the environment at likely levels of exposure.
The APVMA will publish the outcomes of the agency assessments when they become available.
For further information, contact:
Media Inquiries
Phone: +61 2 6210 4701 (select option 3)
Email: media@apvma.gov.au