Iowa ignores environmental cancer causes

Linn County Public Health Director Pramod Dwivedi wrote on Jan. 26 that the link between alcohol and cancer is a public health call to action, especially within the backdrop of Iowa’s second highest cancer rate in the nation. He cites a recent report from the University of Iowa showing Iowans’ consumption of alcohol is among the highest in the nation, along with the connection to cancer diseases.

We all know that Mr. Dwivedi is right that we bear responsibility for our personal choices and the consequences they have on our health. But what about the drivers of cancer and other disease that result from the choices of others, especially those that choose their own economic well-being over the health of their neighbors?

An example: We recognized secondhand cigarette smoke as a driver of cancer, and we did something about it. What about our drinking water? What about outdoor air? How many of us have choices when it comes to the air we breathe and the water flowing out of our tap?

Speaking of reports from the University of Iowa, it was *only* 24 years ago now that researchers at the university published a study showing an association between drinking water nitrate and cancer in older women. Ever hear an Iowa public health official talk about that one? Yeah, me neither.

Fifteen years ago, UI researchers reported positive associations between thyroid cancer and drinking water nitrate above 5 parts per million (ppm). Twelve years ago they reported double the risk of bearing a child with spina bifida when drinking water with nitrate at 5 ppm. Eleven years ago they reported a doubled risk of ovarian cancer in women drinking water with nitrate above 3 ppm. Nine years ago they reported 1.6 times elevated risk of bladder cancer in postmenopausal women drinking water with nitrate above 5 ppm.

Have you ever heard a single public health official or politician of either party talk about any of these reports? Of course not. Why? Because they’re terrified of upsetting the sacred cow of agriculture, even as it stampedes over your health and well-being.

Officials like Mr. Dwivedi, for one, might want to revisit these studies, since Cedar Rapids residents, and about 800,000 other Iowans, drink water containing significantly more nitrate than that.

And it’s not just your water. Twenty years ago, UI researchers reported a doubled risk of asthma for children living near CAFOs (6); 11 years ago they reported a doubled risk of contracting an antibiotic-resistant staph infection if you live within a mile of one (7).

Mr. Dwivedi lauds the efforts to reduce alcohol consumption through “Dry (alcohol free) January” being promoted throughout our state and country. Ever go a month without drinking Iowa tap water or breathing Iowa air? Yeah, me neither.

Why is Mr. Dwivedi so quick to hang his hat on the cancer-alcohol connection? Well, maybe public statements by officials at the Iowa Cancer Registry have invited public health officials and politicians to do so. For example:“With this year’s report, we seek to increase awareness that all types of alcoholic beverages increase cancer risk, and reducing the amount we drink will also reduce alcohol-related cancers.” Newsflash: The Iowa Cancer Registry doesn’t even collect data on the environmental drivers of cancer.

Why not, you may ask. Good question. Could it be that a retaliatory industry controls our environment, politics and institutions in Iowa? Folks at the Cancer Registry might find their job on the rocks if they somehow summoned the courage to talk about the malignant tumor growing on 85% of Iowa’s land. When you don’t have the fortitude to talk about the likely environmental drivers of cancer, sure, you’re going to order the usual, and in this case, it’s a double Blame the Victim, with a twist of lime.

We Iowans need to demand better from our elected officials and public servants if we expect to have the quality of life enjoyed by other Americans.

Chris Jones is a retired University of Iowa water quality research engineer.