November 4, 2021 | A scientific literature analysis by the Federal University of Goias, Brazil, finds occupational (work-related) exposure to agricultural pesticides increases the risk for 45 different types of cancer. This analysis, published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, assesses studies from the last decade to identify cancer risk associated with occupational exposure by country, pesticide type, and methods used to diagnose disease. Many pesticides are “known or probable” carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), and widespread uses only amplify chemical hazards, adversely affecting human health. Multiple myeloma (plasma cell cancer), bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and prostate cancer are the most prevalent forms of cancer. The study evaluated the scientific literature from the Scopus® database between January 2011 and December 2020. The database contains scientific literature from over 20 nations, including the U.S., France, Brazil, and India. [Pedroso, TMA et al. Cancer and occupational exposure to pesticides: a bibliometric study of the past 10 years. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International. 1–12, 2021.]
