The incidence of cancer among farmers, farmworkers, and their families in America’s heartland has surged, with rates significantly exceeding the national average. Research increasingly points to pesticides as a contributing factor. In particular, communities in rural areas like Hardin County, Iowa, face alarming health challenges due to high pesticide exposure.
Lisa Lawler, a resident of Hardin County, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. Having lost her mother to the same illness in 2016, she was not surprised by the diagnosis. “With how many people seem to get cancer in our community, you just assume you will get it,” Lawler remarked, highlighting an unsettling norm in her rural neighborhood. After undergoing extensive treatment, she learned that her cancer was likely environmental rather than genetic, prompting her to question what in her surroundings might have contributed to her condition.
According to data, Hardin County has over 800 farms and a pesticide use rate more than four times the national average. This area is representative of a broader trend; most of the 500 counties with the highest pesticide use per square mile are in the Midwest, where approximately 60% also report cancer rates above the national average of 460 cases per 100,000 people.
An investigative study by Investigate Midwest, conducted in collaboration with the University of Missouri, examined the connection between agricultural chemicals and cancer in rural Missouri. This research revealed a troubling lack of access to healthcare in many affected communities. The investigation was further expanded through interviews with over 100 individuals, including farmers, lawmakers, and environmental advocates, amidst rising concerns about public health.
Kerri Johannsen, senior director of policy and programs at the Iowa Environmental Council, stated, “Cancer is everywhere and it’s an experience that is unfortunately all too common.” The use of agrichemicals has played a crucial role in boosting crop production in the United States, particularly for staple crops like corn and soybeans. However, the repercussions of these practices are becoming increasingly evident.
Pesticides are applied in various ways, including through aerial spraying and handheld devices, often drifting into nearby ecosystems. Chronic exposure has been linked to a range of health issues, including neurological and respiratory problems. Numerous lawsuits have emerged, alleging that pesticide manufacturers are responsible for these health conditions. Companies like Bayer, Syngenta, and Corteva have faced allegations of concealing research that raised concerns about their products.
Jessica Christiansen, head of crop science communications for Bayer, defended the company’s flagship product, Roundup, stating, “This product is so well studied… there is no linkage to cancer, there just isn’t.” Despite such assurances, the regulatory landscape has been shifting. Under the previous administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hired former pesticide executives and lobbyists who have pushed for deregulation.
Recently, North Dakota and Georgia passed laws limiting residents’ ability to sue pesticide manufacturers, with more states considering similar measures. Rob Faux, who manages a small Iowa farm, criticized these developments, arguing that pesticides are often portrayed as harmless. “We’ve been convinced that we must use them or we are not going to have enough food to eat,” he said.
In Iowa, where pesticide use reached 53 million pounds last year, health officials have been raising alarms about the link between chemical exposure and cancer. The state has become a focal point for advocacy efforts aimed at limiting pesticide impacts on health. Farmers and concerned citizens have gathered at the state Capitol to push for more stringent regulations. Their activism has contributed to the defeat of a bill that would have protected pesticide companies from liability in cancer-related lawsuits.
Bill Billings, a resident of Red Oak and a cancer survivor, shared his personal experience with pesticide exposure. Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2024, he learned from his oncologist that his condition was linked to chemicals he had used, including Roundup. “The cancer specialist said, very directly, my cancer is a result of being exposed to chemicals,” Billings recounted, underscoring the human toll of agricultural practices.
After undergoing treatment, Billings filed a lawsuit against Bayer, noting the irony that the same company manufactured medication that helped treat his cancer. He expressed the frustration of being part of a cycle that places consumer safety in jeopardy.
This investigative report from Investigate Midwest sheds light on the troubling relationship between pesticide use and rising cancer rates in America’s heartland. It marks the beginning of a series exploring the public health implications of these practices, with the first follow-up piece scheduled for March 3, 2024. The ongoing discourse underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive examination of the agricultural practices affecting community health and well-being.
