For years, researchers have questioned whether environmental pollutants can cause cancer in the West. Now, University of Idaho researchers have found an important clue to finding the answer. Two recently published University of Idaho studies showed a link between agricultural contaminants and cancer. One study found that Idaho counties with more environmental burden — measured by agricultural pesticide use and metals in groundwater — were closely associated with cancer in children. Another study found that fumigants, a type of agricultural pesticide, were closely associated with cancer in 11 Western states.

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