Weed Killer in the Crosshairs

Concerns prompt reexamination of atrazine’s safety

Each year, American farmers and turf managers apply some 34 million kilograms of atrazine to quash broad-leaved and grassy weeds. Most treatments go to protect corn, sorghum, sugarcane and cotton, though golf courses sometimes tap the weed killer to maintain immaculate fairways and putting greens.

UNDER THE HOOD With hooded sprayers, farmers can direct herbicide to areas between crops (sorghum shown), limiting possible drift.