00:00A new study says a hidden weed killer is showing up in nearly a quarter of the rivers
00:04and streams in the continental United States.
00:06The chemical is Atrazine, and the Center for Biological Diversity says
00:10the levels in these waters are high enough to harm wildlife and human health.
00:15About 20% of surface water drinking intakes draw from those contaminated rivers.
00:20Atrazine is the second most used weed killer in the country.
00:23With about 70 million pounds applied every year, mostly on corn, sorghum, and sugarcane,
00:28The hotspots include Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana,
00:34along with parts of the Mississippi River, Lake Okeechobee in Florida, and the Texas Gulf Coast.
00:40The researchers link Atrazine to certain cancers, reduced fertility and birth defects,
00:45and note that dozens of countries have banned it.
00:48The manufacturer says it is safe when applied, according to label instructions.
00:52New legal challenges were filed this week.
00:54Disclosure. This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
