Statewide Iowa (RI) — A new report looks at how environmental factors in Iowa could affect cancer rates, which rank second-worst in the nation.
The report from the Iowa Environmental Council and the Harkin Institute summarizes peer-reviewed scientific research surrounding cancer risk and environmental factors, like nitrate, PFAS, radon, and pesticides.
Michael Schmidt with the Iowa Environmental Council says many Iowans seem unsure of how the environment could affect their cancer risk.
Schmidt says they found some correlation between areas with environmental risk factors and cancer.
Iowa has the second highest rate of cancer in the country, behind only Kentucky. According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, Iowa is also one of only a few states with a rising cancer rate.
