Is farming fueling Iowa’s rising cancer rates?
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Iowa now has one of the highest cancer rates in the United States, and researchers are examining whether the state’s dominant agricultural practices could be a factor. Heavy use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in industrial farming has raised concerns about long-term exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals in water, soil, and air. While genetics, lifestyle, and access to care all play roles, mounting evidence suggests that environmental factors linked to farming may be contributing to the state’s unfolding health crisis.
Source
Gerken, Jacob & Vincent, Gear & Zapata, Demi & Barron, Ileana & Zapata, Isain. (2024). Comprehensive assessment of pesticide use patterns and increased cancer risk. Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society. 2. 10.3389/fcacs.2024.1368086.
Additional Reading
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/18/iowa-farm-chemicals-cancer