Article falsely implies farmers are causing cancer

It’s increasingly necessary to fact-check the media. Case in point is a report from Gazette reporter Erin Jordan about farmers allegedly contributing to Iowa’s second in the nation cancer rate.

Jordan implies that farmers have a higher rate of prostate cancer than the general population due to exposure to pesticides and fertilizer. Jordan failed to mention that prostate cancer increases substantially with age. The average age of farmers is 58 while the average age of all Iowans is 38.

Jordan fearmongers nitrates as a cause of blue baby syndrome but failed to mention that blue baby hasn’t occurred in Iowa for half a century.

Jordan failed to report that 80% of the nitrates people consume comes from food — mostly leafy greens and other vegetables we’re encouraged to eat more of.

A trick of the trade that Jordan used was to quote one farmer, who identifies with an agenda, as if he represents the farming community.

Jordan repeatedly cited studies using correlations. Correlation significantly lacks the respect of causation (actual effect) within the science community. However, going out on the that limb, we see that corn-belt state Illinois is ranked 20th in the nation for cancer occurrence and another corn-belt state, Indiana, is ranked 43rd.

To demonize farmers for what amounts to involuntary manslaughter is unacceptable!

Curt Zingula

Central City