Weedkiller Tied to Birth Defect, Baylor College of Medicine Study

Exposure to a common herbicide may increase the risk of a rare congenital disorder, according to a new study. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that exposure to atrazine – the most commonly used herbicide in the U.S. – may be linked to an increased risk of choanal atresia. Atrazine is typically used in corn crops. Choanal atresia is a disorder where tissue forms and blocks the back of the nasal passage, affecting one or both sides of the nasal airway. While rare, affecting approximately 1 in 7,000 infants, the condition can be serious because it can impede a baby’s ability to breathe.