This affects farmers.
Recent research has revealed that individuals working in agriculture or living in farming regions might face cancer risks from pesticide exposure that could exceed the risks associated with smoking. The study, led by Isain Zapata, an associate professor at Rocky Vista University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, identified particularly elevated risks for cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer.
Zapata and his team, whose findings were published on July 25 in Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society, found that it is not just exposure to a single pesticide that raises cancer risks but rather the combination of multiple pesticides. They analyzed data from 69 commonly used pesticides provided by the United States Geological Survey to estimate cancer risks. Their model indicated that long-term exposure to these combined pesticides posed a higher lifetime cancer risk compared to smoking.
The study also highlighted geographical variations, with the highest cancer risks associated with pesticide exposure found in major agricultural areas like the Midwest. This underscores the significant impact of farming practices on health.
Zapata noted the importance of considering these risks when purchasing produce. He emphasized that the health risks faced by farmers and agricultural workers due to pesticide exposure are a crucial aspect of food production that consumers should be aware of. This perspective has influenced his own view on the food supply, making him more mindful of the risks involved in agricultural practices.
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