Syngenta Spends Millions to Deflect Evidence Against Atrazine Herbicide

Image Gallery Herbicides that contain atrazine have been linked to endocrine disruptive effects. MARGARET WALLACE/FOTOLIA.COM

The herbicide atrazine is in the news for multiple reasons these days.  In addition to concerns that this widely used pesticide may cause cancer, evidence has recently surfaced showing that, for more than a decade, Syngenta has spent millions of dollars to pay scientists and journalists to deny and deflect the growing documentation of the human health dangers posed by atrazine. Plus, cancer is not the only concern with this chemical; a new report from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences names atrazine among a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are “obesogens” — meaning they are suspected of contributing to the obesity epidemic now underway in this country. Here are links to these important stories:It's Time to Ban Atrazine, Obesogens: An Environmental Link to Obesity. — MOTHER

On February 7, 2012,  the Center for Media and Democracy posted more than 200 emails, invoices and other documents unsealed as part of a major lawsuit against Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., the primary manufacturer of the weed-killer "atrazine."

"These documents reveal a multi-million dollar effort by Syngenta and its PR flaks to influence the public's perception of atrazine in an effort to stave off regulatory and legal action against the weed-killer, which has been found in drinking water across the nation. As part of this greenwashing effort, Syngenta's PR team investigated the press and paid scientists, economists and other 'experts' to spin the media and the public on the 'benefits' of atrazine," said Lisa Graves, Executive Director of the Center for Media and Democracy.