How to Filter Atrazine From Water
While the CDC, the EPA and the chemical manufacturer Syngenta continue to claim that atrazine is safe at typical exposures, communities in six states filed a lawsuit in early 2010 seeking compensation for the cost of filtering it from municipal drinking water. Sprayed primarily on cornfields, atrazine is a commonly used herbicide now implicated in causing damage to the heart, liver and kidneys of animals and especially of interfering with reproduction. While further studies need to be conducted to determine if these effects carry over to humans, many individuals may want to protect themselves from potential harm by filtering their own water.
Instructions
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Select the water filter style that will work best for your needs and finances. You can choose from whole-house filtration systems, or under the sink filters to simple pitcher filters. Among all of these are options capable of filtering out atrazine.
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Select a water filter model that meets NSF/ANSI standard 53 and is certified to filter atrazine. Standard 53 addresses heath concerns related to water quality as opposed to filters that simply address the taste and appearance of the water.
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Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and use of your chosen water filter.
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Properly clean and maintain your filter according to manufacturer's guidelines. All filters gradually lose their effectiveness if this is not done.
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Tips & Warnings
To check if a particular water filter is NSF certified you can go to their website listed in the resources and type in the model of your system.
References
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Atrazine
- The New York Times: Debating How Much Weed Killer Is Safe in Your Water Glass
- Natural Resources Defense Council: Atrazine: Poisoning the Well
- The Huffington Post: 16 Cities Sue Manufacturer Of Atrazine Weed-Killer For Contaminating Drinking Water
Resources
- Photo Credit Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images
