Agricultural Pesticide Exposure Linked to Childhood Cancers, Study Says
Analysis by U.S. Right to Know
Reviewed by Keith W. Vrbicky, Sr., MD
March 13, 2025
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Nebraska study reveals a 10% increase in pesticide exposure is linked to 36% rise in childhood brain cancers, 23% increase in leukemia, and 30% overall increase in pediatric cancers
- Research analyzing 2,512 cancer cases over 22 years identified herbicides dicamba, glyphosate, and paraquat as significant contributors to childhood cancer development in agricultural regions
- Children face heightened vulnerability to pesticide exposure through air, water, and soil due to developing organs and frequent hand-to-mouth contact during play
- The research demonstrates the importance of examining combined effects of multiple pesticides rather than individual chemicals, to represent real-world agricultural exposure more accurately
- Future research recommendations include human biomonitoring studies measuring pesticide levels in children’s blood, plasma, and urine to better understand health impacts