Pesticide Mixtures Linked to Higher Rates of Childhood Cancer, Study Finds

Pesticide regulation in the U.S. operates on the assumption that people encounter these chemicals individually, but real-world exposure is rarely that simple. The risks are particularly pronounced in farming communities, where pesticides can drift through the air, contaminate water supplies, and settle into household dust.

This study underscores a regulatory gap: Some of the chemicals examined remain legal in the U.S. despite being banned in other countries due to health risks. While individual pesticides undergo safety reviews, the combined effects of multiple exposures — what scientists call the “cocktail effect” — are far less understood. Public health experts warn that this oversight could have long-term consequences, as chronic exposure has been linked to developmental delays, respiratory problems, and even certain cancers.