Anonymous public comment

On Health Equity and Environmental Justice Comment: The proposed rule should adopt stricter application restrictions and enforceable buffer zones around all sources of drinking water, particularly in low-income and predominantly Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities most at risk from atrazine exposure. Supporting Evidence: Studies have repeatedly shown that rural, low-income, and minority communities experience higher pesticide burdens, resulting in adverse reproductive and developmental health effects. (UCS, 2016, “Atrazine: Dangerous for the Environment and Public Health,” https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/atrazine) On Farmworker Safety Comment: The rule should mandate enhanced training, notification, and personal protective equipment for farmworkers handling atrazine, and require transparent public reporting of all workplace exposures and incidents. Supporting Evidence: Farmworker pesticide exposure has been linked to increased rates of cancer and endocrine disruption; robust protections reduce health harms and inequity. (CDC, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pesticides/) On Aquatic and Ecosystem Protection Comment: EPA should strengthen runoff controls and ban atrazine use within 500 meters of all waterways to prevent contamination and protect aquatic species, including amphibians, which are highly sensitive to atrazine. Supporting Evidence: Atrazine runoff causes endocrine disruption and population declines in frogs and fish. (Hayes et al., PNAS, 2002, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.232443799) On Cumulative Risk Assessment Comment: The EPA should require cumulative and aggregate risk assessments of atrazine in combination with other pesticides, to reflect real-world exposure scenarios for both humans and wildlife. Supporting Evidence: Mixed pesticide exposures often have synergistic or additive toxic effects; ignoring this leads to unsafe regulatory limits. (EPA, 2023, “Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment,” https://www.epa.gov/risk/framework-cumulative-risk-assessment) On Climate Change and Water Security Comment: The rule must address how climate-driven flooding and drought will exacerbate atrazine runoff, requiring adaptive management and more frequent monitoring in climate-vulnerable regions. Supporting Evidence: Extreme weather events have already led to spikes in pesticide contamination of drinking water supplies. (USGS, 2021, “Pesticides in Water,” https://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/pnsp/usage/maps/) On Monitoring and Public Disclosure Comment: Mandate real-time, publicly accessible reporting of atrazine levels in surface and groundwater, especially in high-risk areas, and require rapid EPA response when levels exceed safety thresholds. Supporting Evidence: Public disclosure improves community health outcomes and supports rapid mitigation when contamination is detected. (NRDC, 2022, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/pesticides-drinking-water) On Safer Alternatives and Transition Support Comment: Provide technical and financial support for farmers to transition to integrated weed management and organic alternatives, prioritizing small and BIPOC-owned farms. Supporting Evidence: Support for alternative practices reduces reliance on hazardous chemicals and promotes rural economic resilience. (Rodale Institute, 2020, https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/regenerative-agriculture-and-pesticide-reduction/) On Endocrine Disruptor Evaluation Comment: EPA should expedite its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program review for atrazine and include all available independent and international research. Supporting Evidence: The EU banned atrazine in 2004 due to its endocrine disruption potential, based on a broad evidence base. (European Commission, 2004, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_04_1427) On Wildlife and Pollinator Health Comment: Ban aerial spraying of atrazine during pollinator activity periods and require drift reduction technologies on all equipment. Supporting Evidence: Pesticide drift is a leading cause of bee mortality and native pollinator decline. (EPA, 2023, “Protecting Pollinators,” https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection) On Community Right-to-Know and Engagement Comment: EPA should actively engage impacted communities, including farmworker and Tribal groups, in atrazine rulemaking and enforcement processes through regular, accessible public meetings and consultation. Supporting Evidence: Meaningful participation leads to better outcomes and trust in public health regulations. (EPA, 2021, “Community Engagement Guidelines,” https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/community-engagement-guidelines)