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March 9, 2010

Midwestern Towns Sue Manufacturer of Atrazine Weedkiller
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Fifteen Midwestern towns and cities have sued the manufacturer of a
popular weedkiller over drinking water contamination. The weedkiller
Atrazine manufactured by Syngenta is commonly used in Midwestern
cornfields. The lawsuit was filed by towns and cities in Kansas,
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Iowa. Atrazine has been banned in
the European Union since 2004 but here in the United States about 80
million pounds of Atrazine is used each year. A recent study found that
the weedkillers can turn male frogs into females. The chemicals in the
weedkiller atrazine disrupt development and make frogs develop both male
and female features.



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