Environmental risks at play in Iowa's cancer crisis
From River to River by Iowa Public Radio
April 14, 2026 · 48 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the environmental factors contributing to Iowa's high cancer rates and explores policy recommendations to address these issues.
Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation. A recent report points to contaminants in our water, soil and air as key culprits. On this episode, we talk with two of the authors of this report on environmental risk factors including pesticides, PFAS, nitrates and Iowa's cancer crisis. The report offers several policy and personal recommendations to reduce adverse environmental exposures, including expansion of the state's water monitoring network. The Iowa Legislature diverted funds for the Iowa Quality Information System in 2023. While county governments and other groups have helped fund the system the last few years, Iowa Flood Center Director Larry Weber is asking lawmakers to reappropriate funds before the end of this year's session. (The Harkin Institute and Iowa Environmental Council are sponsors of IPR.)
Topics covered
- cancer crisis
- environmental risks
- water contamination
- policy recommendations
- Iowa Legislature
- pesticides
- PFAS
Keywords
- cancer rate
- environmental contaminants
- water monitoring
- PFAS
- nitrates
- pesticides
- Iowa Quality Information System
Sponsors
The Harkin Institute, Iowa Environmental Council
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Iowa Flood Center
Places: Iowa
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