Soy farming in Brazil linked to child cancer deaths, study reveals
A study published in the journal PNAS has found a link between soy farming and an increase in child cancer deaths in Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter of soybeans. The study suggests that agricultural pesticide exposure, including the widely used weedkiller glyphosate, is associated with higher childhood cancer mortality rates. The researchers found a correlation between soy production and childhood blood cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The expansion of soybean production in Brazil was linked to an additional 123 deaths of children under the age of 10 from ALL between 2008 and 2019. The researchers speculate that increased pesticide use may be contaminating water supplies near soy farms.