Cancer Concerns Grow in the Fields of Iowa and Illinois

I grew up on a farm, and my father has worked at an ag co-op for many years; often the solution for weeds and other unpleasant entities in your fields was to hit them with some 2,4-D. It's a common agricultural chemical used throughout the Midwest. Unfortunately, it may pose greater health risks than many people realize, especially in our leading farming states of Iowa and Illinois.

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By the way, the herbicide 2,4-D is one of the most heavily used pesticides in the U.S., particularly across corn and soybean fields. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, both Iowa and Illinois showed some of the highest application rates in the country, based on the most recent national data. While it helps farmers control invasive weeds, growing concerns are emerging around its potential impact on human health and the environment.

2,4-D has been in use since the 1940s and was once a key ingredient in Agent Orange, the defoliant used by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Although today’s formulation differs, the World Health Organization’s cancer research arm (IARC) classified it as a “possible human carcinogen” in 2015. This followed studies showing it can cause oxidative stress and immune system suppression—mechanisms that may contribute to cancer and other diseases.

Researchers have linked 2,4-D exposure to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and birth defects. Farmworkers and residents living near sprayed fields are most at risk, but trace amounts can remain on produce or seep into water systems, raising questions about long-term, low-level exposure for the general public. The chemical’s use has surged in the past decade due to the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds, forcing many farmers to rely more heavily on 2,4-D as an alternative.

Extra precautions consumers can make to combat extended 2,4-D exposure include:

• Thoroughly washing all produce
• Choosing organic when feasible
• Staying clear of recently treated fields
• Supporting protective regulations and research

With new pesticide use data expected in September of 2025, scientists and public health advocates continue calling for extended transparency and caution, especially for high-use states like Iowa and Illinois. We may just be at the crossroads of another massive health and regulatory change.