A European Union commission has unanimously voted to ban two commonly used herbicides linked to birth defects, thyroid cancer and a host of reproductive health issues.

A report from the EU's food safety body found that chemicals known as Amitrole and Isoproturon disrupt the human endocrine system.

This marks the EU's first ban on endocrine-disrupting pesticides.

Watchdogs say many more chemicals that cause hormone disruption still in use need to be reviewed.

The Environmental Working Group points to chemicals that affect hormones in Europe and the U.S. like atrazine, which is sprayed on corn crops in the Midwest.

The EU's moratorium goes into effect on September 30.

Read More:

• Europe Bans Two Endocrine-Disrupting Weedkillers (Guardian)
• Widely Used Hormone-Disrupting Pesticides Put Millions At Risk (Environmental Working Group)