A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society has suggested a potential link between environmental pesticide exposure and an increased risk of cancer, similar to the risks associated with smoking. Researchers examined cancer rates in various geographic regions across the United States and correlated them with reported pesticide usage.
The study, led by Isain Zapata, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Research and Statistics at Rocky Vista University, found a strong association between environmental pesticides and several types of cancer, including leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder, lung, and pancreatic cancer. The authors used population and geographic data from sources such as the CDC and US Geological Survey to investigate these correlations.
However, it is important to note that the study is an ecological study, which means it can identify broad trends but does not establish a causal link between pesticides and cancer risk. Loren Lipworth, ScD, a Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, emphasized the need for caution when interpreting the findings of this type of study, as it does not provide individual-level data.
The researchers included sixty-nine different pesticides in their analysis, with some being linked to increased risks of specific types of cancer. For example, atrazine was associated with increased risks of all cancers and colon cancer, while glyphosate and dicamba were linked to increased risks of various cancers as well.
Despite these findings, the researchers do not advocate for the cessation of pesticide usage in agriculture. Instead, they emphasize the need for a cost-benefit and risk-benefit approach when considering the use of these chemicals.
In conclusion, while this study provides a signal of association between environmental pesticides and cancer risk, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of pesticide exposure on individual cancer risk. Personal-level exposure assessment is crucial for gaining a more comprehensive understanding of this scientific association.