The director of Linn County Public Health, Pramod Dwivedi, recently spoke about the serious link between alcohol and cancer. With Iowa having one of the highest cancer rates in the country, this connection is a call to action. A study from the University of Iowa highlights that residents consume a lot of alcohol, which can contribute to cancer risk.
While we all have choices that impact our health, we should also consider how other factors, often out of our control, can affect us. For instance, we recognized that secondhand cigarette smoke could cause cancer, leading to actions to curb exposure. But what about the quality of our water or air? How many of us can choose the air we breathe or the water from our taps?
Speaking of water, it’s worth noting that 24 years ago, researchers at the University of Iowa found a link between nitrate in drinking water and cancer, particularly in older women. Yet, few public health officials seem to discuss this issue. Over the years, studies have continued to show concerning connections between higher levels of nitrate in water and risks like thyroid cancer, spina bifida, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer. However, these findings are rarely mentioned by political leaders or public health representatives, likely due to the powerful agricultural interests in the state.
Currently, Cedar Rapids residents, along with about 800,000 Iowans, are drinking water with high nitrate levels. It’s not just water that’s an issue. Studies have also shown higher asthma rates in children living near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and an increased risk of antibiotic-resistant infections for those nearby.
While Mr. Dwivedi promotes efforts like “Dry January” to reduce alcohol consumption, it’s important to consider that many of us can’t avoid the local air pollution or contaminated water. The push to focus on alcohol as a cancer risk seems to overshadow other significant health threats in our environment, especially when groups like the Iowa Cancer Registry don’t even track the environmental causes of cancer.
This raises important questions. Are our public health policies truly prioritizing our health, or are they too influenced by agricultural interests? Without addressing environmental factors, we can’t take full responsibility for our health. Iowans should demand more transparency and action from their leaders to ensure a healthier future for everyone.
Chris Jones is a retired water quality research engineer from the University of Iowa.
