In recent years, the state of Iowa has had the second-highest rate of cancer in the US; it’s also one of only two states where cancer rates are increasing. This alarming rise in disease is the crux of a new initiative led by the Harkin Institute at Drake University and the Iowa Environmental Council. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the initiative is pinpointing agricultural chemicals—various pesticides, as well as hazardous nitrates in Iowa’s water supply, nitrates contained in the chemical fertilizer that is ubiquitous in Iowa, and flows from the soil to the water supply—as a key suspect in this uptick of cancer clusters.
On today’s episode, Mark interviewed three guests, all of whom are involved in some way with the Iowa initiative. Adam Shriver is the director of wellness and nutrition at the Harkin Institute; he’s helping to lead the initiative. Dr. Richard Deming has been a cancer doctor in Iowa for 36 years. And Diane Rosenberg is executive director of Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors; she’s worked on CAFO—Confined Animal Feeding Operation, i.e. factory farms—issues for almost 20 years. We’re very happy we were able to convene this group.
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