Did you know Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer incidences, and is number one in pesticide use per acre? With over 85% of its land dedicated to agriculture, the state relies heavily on herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, many of which have been linked to cancer.
Rural communities, where pesticide exposure is highest, bear a disproportionate burden of cancer cases, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
On February 3, 2025, state senators in Iowa advanced a bill designed to limit civil liability associated with pesticide use, essentially a “Cancer Gag Order.” This bill has significant support from major agrochemical companies, including Bayer.
Georgia has followed suit. On February 11, 2025, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 144, which would shield pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits as long as their product labels comply with EPA standards.
This legislation is a direct response to the growing number of lawsuits against Monsanto, where plaintiffs claim that exposure to Roundup (glyphosate) has caused cancer. While the EPA has approved these products, lawsuits argue that manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about potential health risks. If passed, the bill would grant chemical manufacturers state-level immunity.
While companies like Bayer and Monsanto continue to defend their products, lawsuits and independent studies have raised concerns about the increased link to cancer .
Multiple studies have found links to;
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – One of the most well-documented pesticide-related cancers, leading to billions in settlements for Roundup lawsuits.
- Leukemia & childhood cancers – Research has found an increased risk of leukemia and brain tumors in children exposed in utero or early in life.
- Prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancer – Some pesticides have endocrine-disrupting properties and act as xenoestrogens, triggering uninhibited cellular growth.
- Colorectal, bladder, and kidney cancer – Pesticides can accumulate in organs over time, leading to chronic inflammation and DNA changes and damage.
Pesticides are at the center of a growing public health crisis. Despite billion-dollar settlements, like Bayer’s $11 billion payout for Roundup-related cancer claims, these chemicals continue to saturate our food, water, and air.
Declaring a pesticide carcinogenic is an uphill battle, often hindered by industry-funded research, legal battles, and the burden of proof falling on the public rather than manufacturers. Even when compelling evidence emerges, regulatory agencies take decades to act—by which time, millions have already been exposed.
As of October 2024, Bayer has settled nearly 100,000 lawsuits linked to glyphosate (Roundup), with another 54,000 cases still pending. But Roundup is just one chemical in a much larger, deeply entrenched system.
Pesticides and Childhood Cancer
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 130 case-control studies found a significant link between parental pesticide exposure and childhood brain tumors (CBT). The study reported that prenatal exposure, both in utero and parental exposure before conception, was associated with a 32% increased risk of CBT, while postnatal exposure increased the risk by 22%.
Pesticides and Hormonally-Driven Cancers
Studies have shown glyphosate induces breast cancer cell growth by affecting estrogen receptors, leading to mammary tumors. Research has demonstrated that glyphosate can exert proliferative effects on human hormone-dependent breast cancer cells.
- In vitro studies observed that glyphosate promoted cell growth in these estrogen receptor-positive cells.
- This proliferative effect was inhibited by an estrogen antagonist, suggesting that glyphosate’s action was mediated through estrogen receptors.
Pesticides, DNA, and Cancer
Pesticides can reprogram gene expression through epigenetic modifications. A study in Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis found that organophosphate pesticides (fonofos, parathion, and terbufos) alter DNA methylation patterns in human cells.
- 625 genes became hypermethylated (silenced), including genes involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.
- 87 genes were hypomethylated (overactive), disrupting DNA repair and promoting cancer growth.
Pesticides don’t just cause genetic mutations—they alter the very way genes function, triggering cancerous changes at a cellular level.
Pesticides and Mitochondrial Function
Pesticides can impact mitochondria in several ways:
- Increasing oxidative stress, leading to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and mutations.
- Interfering with ATP production by blocking key parts of the electron transport chain.
- Damaging mitochondrial membranes, causing cytochrome c leakage and triggering cell death.
- Reducing mitochondrial biogenesis, limiting the cell’s ability to generate new mitochondria.
- Disrupting mitochondrial dynamics, altering the normal balance between fission and fusion, leading to fragmented and dysfunctional mitochondria.
These disruptions lead to widespread metabolic dysfunction and changes associated with cancer.
The best thing we can do to avoid the health impacts of pesticides is to mitigate exposure wherever possible and push for systemic change. While we may not have complete control over environmental contamination, we can take steps to reduce personal risk and advocate for policies that protect public health.
- Buy organic when possible.
- Visit farmer’s markets and build relationships with local farmers.
- Grow your own food.
- Soak all produce in baking soda and vinegar.
- Filter your drinking and bath water.
- Call your senators – Legislative action is necessary to reduce pesticide exposure on a larger scale. Contact your state and federal representatives to advocate for stricter pesticide regulations, corporate accountability, and better protections. True change comes from holding corporations and policymakers accountable.
If passed, Senate Bill 144 in Georgia would prevent individuals from suing pesticide manufacturers as long as their product labels comply with EPA regulations. Even if new research proves these chemicals cause harm, the law would shield companies like Bayer and Monsanto from accountability. But this bill hasn’t passed yet. Georgians can still contact their state senators to oppose corporate immunity for pesticide manufacturers.
To access information about Georgia Senate Bill 144 and its sponsors, you can visit the official Georgia General Assembly website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70190
For direct contact information of the bill’s primary sponsors:
- Senator Sam Watson (District 11): Capitol Office: 404-656-0045 District Office: 229-225-1093 Email: sam.watson@senate.ga.gov
- Senator Steve Gooch (District 51): Capitol Office: 404-656-9221 District Office: 706-867-9002 Email: steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov
- Senator John Kennedy (District 18): Capitol Office: 404-656-0045 District Office:
478-405-8240 Email: john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov