Iowa's rural communities grapple with cancer rates significantly higher than the national average, raising concerns about the role of agricultural pollutants.
Keith Schneider reports for Circle of Blue and The New Lede.
In short:
- Palo Alto County, Iowa, faces a cancer incidence rate nearly 50% higher than the national average, with concerns about farm-related pollution being a potential cause.
- Residents and experts point to pesticides, fertilizers, and manure from farming as possible contributors to the rising cancer rates.
- The county is increasing cancer screenings and testing drinking water for contaminants like nitrates, E.coli, and arsenic.
Key quote:
“There is certainly circumstantial evidence that we’re probably exposed to more ag chemicals just because of the nature of Iowa, and the number of acres of Iowa that are under agricultural production.”
— Dr. Richard Deming, oncologist
Why this matters:
With cancer rates alarmingly high, understanding and mitigating the impact of agricultural pollutants is crucial for improving health outcomes in Iowa and potentially other farming regions nationwide. Read more: It’s time to break our addiction to farm chemicals.
