ClimateAugust 16, 2026
atrazine
AY-truh-zeen
Definition
A widely used herbicide that acts by preventing weed growth, which is often detected as a drift-prone chemical in public spaces near agricultural fields.
Etymology
The name is a chemical compound term derived from the prefix 'aza-' (indicating the presence of nitrogen atoms) combined with 'triazine' (a class of organic compounds containing a six-membered ring with three nitrogen atoms).
In the news
Atrazine is mentioned as one of several high-risk, volatile chemicals found by researchers in schools and parks, highlighting the issue of pesticides traveling beyond their intended farming targets.
As study shows pesticides drifting onto Illinois schools and parks, residents push for better tracking
Read the full article ↗Chicago Tribune