In today’s agriculture, pesticides are crucial for achieving high crop yields and ensuring food security.
However, these chemicals can harm plant and animal life and pose health risks to people exposed to them.
A new nationwide study in the US has compared the cancer risk from agricultural pesticide use with the well-known risk of smoking. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society.
Dr. Isain Zapata, an associate professor at Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado, is the senior author of the study. “We found that for some cancers, the effect of agricultural pesticide usage is comparable to the effect of smoking,” Zapata stated.
Dr. Zapata explained that even people who are not farmers but live in areas with heavy agricultural production are exposed to pesticides. These chemicals become part of their environment.
The study revealed that in such areas, the impact of pesticide use on cancer rates was similar to that of smoking. This was particularly true for cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer, where pesticide exposure had a more significant impact than smoking.
“We present a list of major pesticide contributors for some specific cancers, but we highlight strongly that it is the combination of all of them and not just a single one that matters,” Zapata emphasized.
Pesticides are often used in combinations, not individually. The researchers noted that it is unlikely that one pesticide alone is responsible for the cancer risk. Instead, the combined effect of multiple pesticides is more significant.
The study included data on 69 pesticides from the United States Geological Survey. “In the real world, people are exposed to a cocktail of pesticides within their region,” Zapata said.
This study is the first comprehensive evaluation of cancer risk from pesticide exposure at a national level. Previous studies had not examined the overall picture and compared it with a well-understood cancer risk factor like smoking.
“It is difficult to explain the magnitude of an issue without presenting any context, so we incorporated smoking data. We were surprised to see estimates in similar ranges,” Zapata said.
While the study provides valuable insights into pesticide use in the US, cancer risk factors are complex, and the broader picture may not reflect individual outcomes.
For example, geography plays a significant role. In regions where more crops are grown, such as the Midwest, known for its corn production, the links between pesticides and cancer rates were more pronounced.
One of the goals of the researchers is to make people, even those who are not frequently exposed to pesticides, think about the broader problems associated with pesticide use.
“Every time I go to the supermarket to buy food, I think of a farmer who was part of making that product. These people often put themselves at risk for my convenience, and that plays a role in my appreciation for that product.
It definitely has had an impact on how I feel when that forgotten tomato in the fridge goes bad, and I have to put it in the trash,” Zapata shared.
This study highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the health risks associated with pesticide use. It also underscores the importance of considering the combined effects of multiple pesticides rather than focusing on individual chemicals.
By recognizing these risks, we can better appreciate the work and sacrifices of those involved in agricultural production and make more informed choices about our food consumption.
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The research findings can be found in Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society.
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