Get atrazine out of U.S. water supply

How have we let this happen? I was shocked to find (in The New York Times) that more than 33 million people in the U.S. are drinking water contaminated with a pesticide called atrazine. This weed killer, already banned in Europe, is linked to birth defects, cancer, and increased risk of having a low birth weight baby.

Scientists say even low levels can have dramatic effects: male tadpoles that swim in atrazine-laced water sometimes grow ovaries and take on female characteristics. Drinking the stuff simply can't be good for us humans.

With fertility problems, low birth weights and birth defects all on the rise throughout the country, finding a pesticide linked to this suite of problems that also happens to contaminant our water supply should be cause for concern.

Lynn Hasselberger

North Barrington