Increased Risk for Certain Cancers Associated with Pesticides Comparable to Smoking, Study Suggests

A recent nationwide study found that the cancer risk associated with agricultural pesticide use is comparable to that of smoking. The research, published in Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society, found the strongest associations between pesticide exposure and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer—cancers where the impact of pesticides surpassed that of smoking.

By comparing pesticide exposure to smoking, the researchers provided a clearer context for understanding the magnitude of the risk. "It is difficult to explain the magnitude of an issue without presenting any context, so we incorporated smoking data,” said Isain Zapata, MD, associate professor at the Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado. “We were surprised to see estimates in similar ranges.”

The researchers included data on 69 pesticides from the United States Geological Survey to reflect the real-world exposure to multiple chemicals simultaneously. “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,” said Dr. Zapata.

The study showed that geographic factors also play a significant role in cancer risk related to pesticide exposure. For example, regions like the Midwest, known for its corn production, showed more pronounced associations between pesticide use and cancer incidence.

The researchers said that they hope to raise awareness about the broader implications of pesticide use. "Every time I go to the supermarket to buy food, I think of a farmer who was part of making that product,” said Dr. Zapata. “These people often put themselves at risk for my convenience."