Hunter
03/26/26
A new report says nation-leading pesticide use, nitrate and chemical levels in Iowa waters, and high radon exposure contribute to the state’s rising cancer rates.
The report, from the Iowa Environmental Council and the Harkin Institute for Public Policy, is a review of top scientific studies and academic research exploring risk factors that impact Iowa’s high cancer rates.
While the public is aware of behavioral factors like smoking, alcohol and exposure to UV rays contributing to cancer rates, environmental factors are less publicized. Iowa is one of only two states with rising cancer rates, and the report points out that the state has some of the highest nitrate levels in its drinking water in the country, extensive and intensive pesticide use, elevated radon concentrations in homes, and emerging concerns about PFAS contamination.
Over the last several months, the Harkin Institute and the Iowa Farmers Union hosted listening sessions across the state, and found that residents overwhelmingly said they don’t have enough information about environmental risks and are worried about exposure to pesticides, manure runoff, drinking water contamination, and industrial pollution.
The executive summary and the full report are attached below.