A new study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center has linked high pesticide exposure to an increase in childhood cancers in Nebraska, a state known for its extensive agricultural activity. Researchers found that just a 10% increase in exposure to pesticide mixtures could lead to a 36% increase in brain and central nervous system cancers, a 23% rise in leukemia, and a 30% increase in overall pediatric cancer rates among children and adolescents.

This groundbreaking study looked at the combined effects of multiple pesticides, which is more reflective of actual conditions in farming areas than prior studies focusing on single chemicals. The research covered all major types of pediatric cancers over two decades and highlights the importance of studying chemical mixtures to understand health risks fully.

The findings also bring attention to the broader risks pesticides pose to children, who are more vulnerable to these chemicals because of their developing bodies and behaviors that increase exposure risks, such as playing on the ground. The study suggests that further research, including direct monitoring of pesticide levels in the body, is crucial for developing effective public health interventions to combat the impact of pesticide exposure on children in agricultural communities.

SOURCE:

U.S. Right to Know, February 16, 2025