Concerns about the regulation of the herbicide atrazine and

its potential impact on amphibian populations

Petition: No. 283

Issue(s): Biological diversity, human health/environmental health, international cooperation, and pesticides

Petitioner(s): Frank Woodcock

Date Received: 22 June 2009

Status: Reply (replies) received but not yet posted

Summary: The petitioner is concerned about Canada’s regulation of the herbicide atrazine in light of a scientific study that, the
petitioner claims, shows adverse effects on amphibian populations. The petitioner seeks information about the federal
government’s plans and activities to monitor and research the adverse effects of atrazine on amphibians. The petitioner asks how
regulatory decisions are made, given that the objective of Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency is to prevent
unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from the use of pesticides. The petitioner also asks if the Agency has made
information publicly available on atrazine’s adverse effects on the environment.

Federal Departments Responsible for Reply: Environment Canada, Health Canada

Petition
Frank Woodcock
35 Tyrell St., Simcoe, ON
N3Y 2H2
June 18, 2009
519-428-4031
f_woodcock@hotmail.com

The Auditor General of Canada

Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
240 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G6

Attn. Petitions:

Please accept the following petition under the Auditor General Act.

When an herbicide like Atrazine is introduced into the environment there is a butterfly effect leading to a tipping point of
unpredictable outcomes.

Scientists Hayes, TB, A Collins, M Lee, M Mendoza, N Noriega, AA Stuart, and A Vonk through their work have discovered
hermaphroditic, demasculinized frogs after exposure to Atrazine, at low ecologically relevant doses. They found exposure to
Atrazine at levels well below those found in the lakes, rivers, streams, rainwater and drinking water, causing frogs to mature with
multiple, mixed gonads thereby becoming demasculinized. Atrazine’s ability to convert testosterone to estrogen appears to cause
this phenomenon. This is also found further up the food chain, therefore pointing to the possible potential for Atrazine to affect
humans.1

The European Community has banned Atrazine.

On the Health Canada web site under Consumer Product Safety http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/index-eng.php, it says,
“The Pest Management Regulatory Agency is the branch of Health Canada that administers the Act on behalf of the Minister of
Health. Our primary objective is to prevent unacceptable risks to people and the environment from the use of pesticides.

To accomplish this, each pesticide goes through a thorough scientific evaluation to determine if it meets current health and
environmental standards. Only those pesticide products that meet Health Canada's standards and that are proven to be effective can
be accepted for use in Canada.”

Question 1) If the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s primary objective is to prevent unacceptable risks to people and the
environment from the use of pesticides, how can the use of Atrazine in Canada be condoned when it has been proven harmful to
amphibians?

Question 2) Is the government of Canada monitoring amphibians by species? Is the government of Canada monitoring amphibians
by species regionally? Are their numbers on the decline? Are there differences in rates of decline by species? Are there differences
in rates of decline by species regionally?

Question 3) What research has been done or is planned to be done concerning the decline of amphibians by species through
Atrazine? What research has been done or is planned to be done concerning the decline of amphibians by species regionally
through Atrazine?

Question 4) How can the difference in approach to the banning of Atrazine be explained between the EU and Canada?

Question 5) What obligations does Canada have through OECD to harmonize pest control products with other member countries?

Question 6) If the EU bans Atrazine and the Canadian government does not ban Atrazine, how does the precautionary principal
play in this difference?

Question 7) An article appeared in the Vancouver Sun by Sarah Schmidt, Canwest News Service April 16, 2009 concerning
Health Canada sitting on a report since March 2008 about an asbestos-cancer link.2 Is the Canadian government sitting on any
national or international studies showing the adverse effects of Atrazine on the environment?

[Original signed by Frank Woodcock]

1)
http://www.pnas.org/content/99/8/5476
Hayes, TB, A Collins, M Lee, M Mendoza, N Noriega, AA Stuart, and A Vonk. 2002. Hermaphroditic, demasculinized frogs after
exposure to the herbicide, atrazine, at low ecologically relevant doses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (US)
99:5476-5480.
2)
http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Health+Canada+sits+report+about+
asbestos+cancer+link/1501374/story.html

Minister's Response: Environment Canada [top of page]

2 November 2009

Mr. Frank Woodcock

35 Tyrell Street
Simcoe ON N3Y 2H2

Dear Mr. Woodcock:

I am writing in response to your Environmental Petition No. 283, to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable
Development, regarding the management of atrazine and its potential impacts on amphibians and humans. The petition was
received by Environment Canada on July 7, 2009.

In your petition you raise concerns about monitoring of amphibians and reasons for their decline, the harmonization of pest control
products through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the role and responsibilities of the
Government of Canada with regards to pesticide regulation.

Environment Canada has collaborated with Health Canada to prepare the Government’s response. I have reviewed this response,
which is being sent to you by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and concur with its conclusions.

I appreciate your interest in this important matter.

Sincerely,

[Original signed by Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment]

The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., M.P.

c.c.: The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq P.C., M.P.

Mr. Scott Vaughan, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Date Issued: 2009-08-20