In 2009 EPA announced its intention to re-evaluate the human health effects of atrazine, specifically citing new research showing a potential association with birth defects, low birth weight, and premature births, and an intent to review evidence of carcinogenicity. This effort was launched with a series of public hearings in April of 2010.

In 2010, the US National Cancer Institute is expected to issue a full report on its Agricultural Health Study, a multi-year study of over 89,000 individuals. The study was launched in 1993 as a joint undertaking with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Among the preliminary reports from the study were findings of a potential connection between atrazine exposure and risk of Parkinson's (Kamel, et al., 2006; sample size too small to be definitive), and that certain cancers (including prostate and blood cancers, and among farmers' spouses, melanoma) were more prevalent in study participants than in control populations (E.g. Alavanja, et al., 2005; Rusiecki, et al., 2004). Preliminary findings include increased rates of certain cancers (including lung, colon, and blood cancers including multiple myeloma) among pesticide applicators.

On April 22, 2010, H.R. 5124 was introduced by Keith Ellison (Democratic congressman from Minnesota) to ban the use, production, sale or import/export of atrazine.

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