Atrazine is a synthetic chemical compound and selective herbicide belonging to the triazine class. It is used to control a range of broadleaf weeds and certain annual grasses before and after they sprout. First registered in the United States in 1958, Atrazine remains a significant tool in weed management programs. Products containing Atrazine fall into two main categories: large-scale agriculture and smaller-scale non-crop applications.
Agricultural Use and Bulk Formulations
The vast majority of Atrazine is found in high-concentration herbicides intended for professional agricultural applications. Farmers primarily use this herbicide on major field crops, including corn, sorghum, and sugarcane, where it provides cost-effective, season-long weed control. These products are typically formulated as water-dispersible granules (WG or WDG) or liquid concentrates (L or 4L), often containing 80% to 90% Atrazine by weight or volume. Products like AAtrex are common examples of these professional-grade formulations.
Agricultural products containing Atrazine are frequently classified as “Restricted Use Pesticides” (RUPs) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This classification means they can only be purchased and applied by certified pesticide applicators, reflecting the high concentration and potential risks. These professional formulations are not available for sale on standard retail consumer shelves. Atrazine is often blended with other active ingredients, such as S-metolachlor or mesotrione, to create combination products that offer a broader spectrum of weed control and manage herbicide resistance.
Consumer and Non-Crop Product Identification
While most Atrazine is used in agriculture, a smaller fraction is incorporated into products intended for non-farm or consumer use at much lower concentrations. These products are generally used for industrial vegetation management (IVM), which includes controlling weeds along railroad lines, utility rights-of-way, and highways. Atrazine’s long residual activity makes it effective for maintaining bare ground or controlling vegetation in these industrial settings.
Atrazine has historically been found in consumer-accessible products for turf and lawn care. It is a component in some herbicides designed for use on established turfgrass, such as on golf courses or residential lawns in the southern US, where it controls weeds like St. Augustinegrass. These lawn care products may be sold as granular “weed-and-feed” products or liquid concentrates, often combining Atrazine with other common lawn herbicides like 2,4-D. The availability of these consumer products is highly variable and has been significantly curtailed in many states and localities due to environmental concerns.
Reading Product Labels and Active Ingredients
The most reliable way to confirm a product contains Atrazine is to inspect the product label, which is a legal document mandated by the EPA. All pesticide labels are required to clearly list the “Active Ingredients” on the front panel. Consumers should look specifically for the chemical name “Atrazine,” rather than relying on a potentially misleading trade or brand name.
The active ingredient statement will also specify the percentage by weight or volume of Atrazine contained in the product. Every EPA-registered pesticide product carries a unique EPA Registration Number. This number indicates that the product’s label has been reviewed and approved by the agency for the uses listed, providing a definitive identifier for the chemical contents. The absence of the chemical name “Atrazine” on the active ingredients list confirms that the product does not contain this particular herbicide.