Environmental behavior and toxicity of herbicides atrazine and simazine

Abstract

This article shows some environmental and toxicology aspects of triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine. These compounds are used to control weeds in sugar and corn crops. Despite being partially soluble, they can be detected in ground and surface water. Their mobility and biodegradation in the soil-water system can vary depending on the intrinsic characteristics of each matrice, such as organic matter content. Although considered slightly toxic, these herbicides have a strong ability to interfere in the nervous and endocrine systems of human and wild biota. The detoxification mechanisms are similar to other xenobiotics; however, little is known about the effects on human health caused by simazine. Therefore, the use of these compounds should be revised due to their environmental behavior and toxicological effects.