Could Banning Herbicide Help Prevent Birth Defects Linked to Pesticides?

Pesticides

Atrazine is one of the most widely used herbicides in American agriculture — and one of the most controversial. Despite being banned in over 60 countries due to concerns about water contamination and human health, it continues to be sprayed across millions of acres in the United States.

Mounting research suggests that atrazine, even in small doses, may interfere with fetal development and increase the risk of serious birth defects. This raises a critical public health question: Would banning atrazine reduce the number of birth defects in communities exposed to agricultural chemicals?

How Atrazine Affects Fetal Development & Can Cause Birth Defects

A 2024 Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published in JAMA Network Open found that atrazine applications increased the prevalence of gastroschisis, a birth defect where a baby’s intestines protrude through a hole near the belly button.

These findings are particularly concerning because atrazine’s water-soluble nature allows it to persist in groundwater and drinking water, exposing not just farmworkers but entire communities. Despite being banned in the European Union since 2004 for contaminating water sources, atrazine remains a staple in U.S. agriculture, raising questions about whether banning it could reduce birth defects related to the use of pesticides.

Multiple Chemicals in Herbicides, Higher Risks for Birth Defects

While atrazine is a significant concern, it is not the only pesticide or herbicide implicated in birth defects. The 2025 Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighted atrazine alongside glyphosate, noting that birth defects caused by pesticides may result from exposure to multiple chemicals.

Farmworkers and residents in agricultural regions are rarely exposed to a single pesticide. Instead, they face a mix of chemicals. Studies suggest that combined exposure to atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and 2,4-D may amplify the risk of serious birth defects, such as neural tube defects and spina bifida.

For example, Univision reports that a 2019 study in North Carolina found associations between maternal exposure to various pesticides and congenital anomalies. This cumulative exposure is particularly acute for farmworkers, who face daily contact with pesticides through spraying, harvesting, or living near treated fields.

The EPA’s Ongoing Struggle with Regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the task of regulating pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), but its efforts to protect Americans from pesticides and birth defects have been inconsistent.

Studies of California’s Central Valley have documented higher rates of birth defects, cancers, and reproductive issues in farmworker communities, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and congenital defects affecting the heart, urinary tract, and limbs.

Despite these concerns, the EPA has not mandated comprehensive monitoring of atrazine, and industry pushback has stalled stricter regulations.

Could a Ban of Herbicides Reduce Birth Defects?

Banning atrazine could reduce birth defects caused by pesticides, but the issue is complex. Europe’s 2004 ban significantly lowered groundwater contamination, though atrazine persists in some areas decades later.

A U.S. ban could decrease exposure for millions, particularly in rural areas, but replacing atrazine with other herbicides may introduce new risks. The MAHA report advocates for banning 85 pesticides, including atrazine, arguing that their cumulative effects drive reproductive health crises. However, opposition from the agricultural lobby, which cites atrazine’s cost-effectiveness, complicates reform.

While banning atrazine could help reduce the risk of birth defects, it’s only part of the solution. Real progress will require stronger enforcement, safer alternatives, and a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable communities from chemical harm.

How We Help Birth Defects VictimsSeek justice with the help of our experienced birth defects attorneys. Our birth defect litigation attorneys have represented people like you affected by birth defects caused by toxic exposure, aggressively fighting the corporate giants who failed to protect vulnerable workers. If you or a loved one was exposed to chemicals while pregnant and now have a child who suffers from a life-altering birth defect like spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy, we can help.