In findings that scientists fear may have implications for humans, researchers say exposing frog larvae to a common weed killer leads to reproductive abnormalities.
These abnormalities may impair sexual behavior, and be a factor in the current decline in the worldwide frog population.
The study, the first to look at levels of the herbicide atrazine—which is thought to be safe in drinking water or in limited exposure—appears in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The frogs in the study were exposed to levels of atrazine between 0.1 and 220 parts per billion, levels considered safe for humans….