Atrazine characterization: An update on uses, monitoring, effects, and environmental impact, for the development of regulatory policies in Argentina.

This article focuses on the environmental presence, impacts, and regulatory considerations of atrazine (ATZ), the third most widely used herbicide in Argentina, where over 10,000 tons are applied annually mainly in crops such as sugar cane, corn, and sorghum. The assessment reveals that ATZ is ubiquitous in various environmental matrices—including surface and groundwater, soils, sediments, and biota—with concentrations frequently exceeding national and international guidelines, posing ecological risks to aquatic and terrestrial species at sublethal levels. Despite evidence of ATZ's persistence, mobility, and potential adverse effects on native fauna and limited human health data, there is a notable lack of comprehensive monitoring, epidemiological studies, and regulatory frameworks addressing its use and environmental fate in Argentina. The study underscores the need for improved management practices, expanded research on toxicity and exposure, and consideration of ATZ's inclusion in international chemical control agreements such as the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.