{"id":41080,"date":"2026-03-04T00:01:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=41080"},"modified":"2026-03-03T10:22:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:22:53","slug":"agricultural-pesticide-exposure-heightens-risks-of-kidney-cancer-in-men-and-women-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2026\/03\/agricultural-pesticide-exposure-heightens-risks-of-kidney-cancer-in-men-and-women-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Agricultural Pesticide Exposure Heightens Risks of Kidney Cancer in Men and Women, Study Finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, March 4, 2026) In the International Journal of Epidemiology<\/em><\/a>, researchers from France assess the risks of kidney cancer with a wide range of agricultural activities and tasks, finding that occupational exposure heightens kidney cancer risk. In studying participants from the French AGRIculture and CANcer cohort (AGRICAN) with incident kidney cancer, elevated risks of disease development between 25-56% are documented for both men and women engaging in agricultural activities. In men, the authors find increased kidney cancer in those \u201cworking with rapeseed and sunflowers, and tasks related to other crops such as corn, wheat\/barley, beet, and tobacco.\u201d In women, an increased risk is noted for winegrowers and corn growers. \u201cPesticide use (on fields and\/or seeds) was associated, for both sexes, with these crops, showing exposure-response relationships with crop area and work duration,\u201d the researchers state.<\/p>\n

This study, of a large cohort of agricultural workers, highlights the disproportionate risks<\/a> of adverse kidney health to farmworkers directly handling pesticides or encountering pesticide residues on recently treated products. According to the World Cancer Research Fund<\/a>, kidney cancer is the 14th<\/sup> most common cancer worldwide, affecting men more often than women. Kidney cancer incidence and mortality have increased globally, with various causes, such as occupational exposure to environmental contaminants, as established risk factors.<\/p>\n

Evidence from meta-analyses<\/a> and large case-control studies<\/a> provide evidence that links pesticides and kidney cancer, as they show elevated kidney cancer risks in pesticide-exposed individuals. \u201cFurthermore, kidney cancer latency is uncertain, with some studies indicating a 20- and 30-year delay post-exposure,\u201d the authors note. (See studies here<\/a> and here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Study Methodology and Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the current study, the AGRICAN cohort contains 654 cases of incident kidney cancer, as \u201cidentified through cancer registries from 2005-2007 until 31 December 2017.\u201d The affected individuals filled out mailed questionnaires detailing exposure to pesticides and farm activities, such as applying pesticides or sowing\/harvesting sprayed crops. The questionnaire included information on 13 crop types and 5 types of livestock on farms.<\/p>\n

As the researcher say, \u201cIncident cases of kidney cancer and their histologic subtypes were obtained from the population-based cancer registries of each of the 11 participating areas, with histologic confirmation for each case.\u201d From this information, statistical analyses were performed to determine associations between agricultural exposure and kidney cancer risk. These were conducted separately for men and women to account for genetic, etiological, and exposure differences. Of the total 654 incident kidney cancer cases, 467 occurred in men and 187 occurred in women, displaying a 2.5:1 ratio.<\/p>\n

As a result, increases in kidney cancer risks in men are observed in rapeseed, sunflower, and tobacco growers, with direct exposure to pesticide treatments, seeds, and sowing showing positive associations with the disease across all of these crops. \u201cAn increased risk was also observed in growers of wheat and\/or barley, corn, beet, and field vegetables,\u201d the authors note. In terms of livestock exposure and kidney cancer incidence, a slight increase in risk is observed in men for pigs, poultry, and sheep.<\/p>\n

In females, increased risks are observed for winegrowers and corn growers, reaching 56% and 25%, respectively. The data shows a risk increase of over 40% for \u201cwomen working in wineries, using pesticides in vineyards and corn crops, and taking part in grape harvesting and vineyard maintenance.\u201d The researchers continue, saying: \u201cThe risk of kidney cancer increased both with the duration of exposure to winegrowing and with the size of the area under the vines. The risk almost doubled for a working duration of ~30 years and almost tripled for the largest vineyard areas. It also doubled for those treating seeds of corn crops.\u201d<\/p>\n

In summarizing the results, the authors state: \u201cWhen the effect of various crops and livestock activities on 654 kidney cancers among farmers in the AGRICAN cohort was analysed, risks for specific crops and animal exposures appeared in both men and women… The study revealed a positive association between working in open field crops and other crops and the risk of kidney cancer, showing an increased risk \u226450%.\u201d<\/p>\n

Previous Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cited in the study is additional scientific literature that connects pesticide exposure to adverse effects on kidney health. This includes:<\/p>\n