The relationship between chemical pesticide exposure and cancer risk has been the focus of extensive global research. Pesticide exposure—especially when it is long-term and occurs at high doses—has been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Pesticides comprise many different chemical compounds, and some have been classified as carcinogenic. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, lists certain pesticides as either “probable carcinogens” or “carcinogens.”
According to the IARC list, organochlorines such as DDT pose a major health risk because they persist in the environment for long periods and accumulate in living organisms. They are classified as carcinogenic and have been particularly linked to liver cancer and lymphoma. Organophosphates, known for their effects on the nervous system, are also considered probable carcinogens. Scientific studies have supported a link between exposure to organophosphates such as Malathion and Diazinon and an increased risk of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Carbamates, the herbicide Glyphosate, and some fungicides are also considered probable carcinogens. These substances have been associated with several cancer types, including Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and brain tumors.
Cancer Types Most Strongly Linked to Pesticide Exposure
Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): One of the cancer types most strongly associated with pesticide exposure. Among farmers and agricultural workers, the incidence of NHL is notably higher. A 2019 meta-analysis revealed that exposure to organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides increases the risk of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 30–40%.
Prostate Cancer: Pesticide exposure, especially among male farmers, has been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. The Agricultural Health Study in the United States reported increased prostate cancer incidence in individuals exposed to certain types of pesticides.
Lung Cancer: Almost all types of pesticide particles inhaled through the respiratory tract can increase the risk of lung cancer.
Brain Tumors: Beyond their neurotoxic effects, pesticides have been associated with the development of brain tumors. The impact of environmental pesticide exposure on childhood brain tumors has become a key research topic.
Groups at Highest Risk
- Farmers and agricultural workers: Those who directly apply pesticides or work in contaminated areas have the highest observed cancer risk related to pesticide exposure.
- Elderly individuals: Because of weakened metabolism and immune defenses, older adults are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides, which increases the likelihood of cancer.
- Pregnant women and fetuses: Pesticide exposure can negatively affect fetal development, leading to congenital anomalies and a higher risk of cancer later in life.
- Children: During their developmental stages, children are more sensitive to environmental toxins. Pesticides can disrupt nervous system development, causing learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and an increased cancer risk. Research shows a strong link between childhood leukemia and brain tumors and exposure to pesticides.
Chronic Pesticide Intake
Long-term, low-dose pesticide exposure leads to bioaccumulation in body tissues, as the body’s ability to metabolize these chemicals is limited. This accumulation causes DNA damage, hormonal system disruption, and immune suppression, all of which lay the groundwork for cancer development.
Epidemiological studies indicate that long-term consumption of foods containing pesticide residues—even when they are below legal limits—can increase the incidence of hormone-related cancers (such as breast and prostate cancer) and hematological cancers (such as leukemia and lymphoma). Even when residue levels comply with legal standards, the duration of exposure and the individual’s defense mechanisms must be considered, as health risks can still arise.
References
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): https://www.iarc.who.int/
- University of Nebraska Medical Center – Childhood Cancers and Pesticide Exposure: https://usrtk.org/healthwire/pesticide-exposure-linked-to-childhood-cancers
- ScienceDirect – Childhood Leukemia and Pesticide Exposure: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750024002233
- BMC – Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Pesticides: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-022-02348-7
- Beane Freeman LE – Pesticide Exposure and Prostate Cancer: https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP484
- Pérez-López FR – Low-Dose Pesticide Exposure and Breast Cancer: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/18/3231
- Mostafalou S, Abdollahi M – Low-Dose Pesticide Exposure and Chronic Diseases/Cancer: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0041008X17301290
