Andy Xaysittiphone

Period 4
A.P. Environmental Science
March 3, 2015
1. Does Atrazine appear to alter male frog development at any concentration?
Yes. Atrazine alters the male frog at concentration of 1ppb.
2. If Atrazine does aect male frog development, what is the lowest concentration and dose
that appears to have the eect?
The lowest concentration that appears to
have effect is 0.1% (1ppb). The lowest dose that has effect is 0.01.
3. The chemical was banned for use in the U.S. in the 1960's. For years afterwards,
however, American manufacturers of DDT continued to export it to third world countries
that had not yet banned its use. How does this observation relate to the use of atrazine in
the U.S. today?
Rachel Carson was the change for the usage of DDT. The observation relates to the use of
atrazine in the U.S. today because both countries banned the chemicals, but still export it to other
countries because they want money, and don't care about other countries. All they care about is
their economical needs.
Questions
1. A Syngenta press release quotes James Carr, head of the Texas Tech
team, as saying, We have been unable to reproduce the low-concentration eects
of atrazine on amphibians reported elsewhere in the scientic literature. This statement
refers to Hayes results (Hayes, 2002, 2003). Comment on the accuracy of this statement,
and
explain your reasoning.
I don't think that his quote is very accurate because he said reported elsewhere, and not exactly
the location. He didn't get enough of them for a good experiment. He was not accurate to which
type.
2. The Hayes study (Hayes, 2003) was conducted using water samples collected from ponds
and streams in agricultural and non-agricultural regions of the Midwest. The study
conducted by Carrs group added varying amounts of atrazine to de-chlorinated
laboratory water. Which set of experimental conditions, if either, would be more likely to
lead to valid experimental results? Explain your reasoning.
I think that Carr's experimental condition was more likely to lead to experimental results. I think
that because Tyrone didn't check the water. It could of have different chemicals. They also
needed to test the water for more accurate results.

3. Comment on the signicance of the Carr data, shown above, that reports the percent of
male frogs having gonadal abnormalities at a nominal atrazine concentration of zero
micrograms per
liter and a nominal dose of zero micrograms per liter.
I think that the abnormality in Carr's data was
a random mutation, because data doesn't match that pattern. They must of already
been mutated.
Questions
1. What do the Hayes results indicate about the eect of atrazine on the testosterone
concentration in the blood of exposed male frogs?
*The Hayes results indicates that there is 25ppb in males. There is a high blood plasma
testosterone concentration. The results indicate a high effect.
2. What do the MSU results indicate about the eect of atrazine on the testosterone
concentration in the blood of exposed male frogs?
The MSU results also
indicate 25 ppb in males. There is a low blood plasma testosterone
concentration. Compared to Hayes's results, the results indicate a low effect.
3. Consider the EPAs observation about the presence of atrazine in the controls used in the
MSU study. Could this observation explain how Hayes and Hecker could both have
accurately reported their experimental observations?
They both could have accurate results because they got their frogs from different places.
Everything is different in different places, for example the water type, amount of usage of
Atrazine, and how long those frogs have been exposed to those chemicals.
4. In 2003, the EPA recommended that Syngentas license to continue the use of atrazine in
the United States be approved. If one assumes that the data presented here are valid, what
factor or combination of factors might have led to this recommendation?
The factor or combination of factors might have led to this recommendation were the results of
MSU. It shows low effect on male toads. Their data could of lead to the approval of atrazine
use.
5. Search for two web sites that support the continued use of atrazine and two web sites
opposed to its continued use. Prepare an assessment of the validity of these web sites and be
prepared to
share your observations in class. Useful guidelines for the evaluation of the credibility of
web postings may be found at the following:
http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/checklist_print.html.

For
1.
2.

http://agsense.org/
http://www.atrazine.com/AtraMain.aspx

Atrazine has long been a mainstay of corn, sorghum and sugar cane farmers
because it's effective in controlling a broad range of yield-robbing weeds, is safe to the crop and
fits a variety of farming systems.
Its ability to increase yields is critical as
demand for food and alternative fuel increases.
New Studies Show Atrazine Supports 38,000 to 85,000 U.S. Jobs.
Expert Panel: Atrazines Economic, Environmental Benefits Up to $4.8 Billion
Annually.
New Study Finds Urban Pollution, Not
Atrazine to Blame for Frog Abnormalities.

Against
1.http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/banatrazine-zmgz12amzrog.aspx
2.http://www.panna.org/resources/panups/panup_20100108
This widely used pesticide may cause
cancer.
Atrazine may harm reproduction.
Atrazine can interact with the hormone system and have negative health impacts at extremely low levels
of
exposure.
Atrazine causes contamination of U.S. water supplies.
Seven million people were exposed to atrazine in their treated drinking water at levels above state or
federal health-based limits