Pesticide Exposure Raises Cancer Risk 150% in Peru
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- Institut Pasteur leads a multi‑institution study that combined environmental monitoring, cancer registry data, and lab research to assess pesticide exposure in Peru.
- Peru was chosen for its diverse agro‑ecosystems and social inequalities, where residents encounter up to 12 pesticide chemicals simultaneously.
- 31 pesticides not classified as WHO carcinogens were tracked across the country from 2014‑2019, producing high‑resolution exposure maps.
- 150,000 cancer patients diagnosed between 2007‑2020 were matched to exposure data, revealing a 150% higher cancer risk in high‑exposure zones.
- Indigenous and rural farming communities showed the strongest link, underscoring inequitable health impacts of agricultural chemicals.
Why it matters: Peruvian health ministry must expand cancer screening for 150,000 exposed residents, costing an estimated $200 million, and forcing stricter pesticide regulation that could reduce agricultural yields.
