One of atrazine’s scariest effects is that it is an endocrine disruptor. These are chemicals foreign to the human body that, after a certain level of exposure, disrupt our endocrine — also known as hormonal — systems. Endocrine disruptions can cause adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in people and wildlife.

A 2011 study published in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology summarized a huge swath of research on atrazine, dating back to 1997. The study alone features 22 authors from around the globe. (8)

The study confirmed what researchers have been saying for years: atrazine “demasculinizes” and “feminizes” vertebrate male gonads. In other words, atrazine is a “decrease in male gonadal characteristics,” because the herbicide shrinks testicles and reduces sperm counts. By “feminizing” male gonads, atrazine can lead to the growth of ovaries in males.

**gobbles up atrazine laced watr**