Environmental researchers have released a new map that shows a staggering correlation between glyphosate use and cancer rates in Iowa.
Chemical makers have insisted their products are not carcinogenic, yet continue to support federal laws that would grant them immunity if they're found to be harmful.
The analysis and associated map, released by Food and Water Watch, shows that 71% of counties that spray glyphosate have a number of late-stage cases of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma above the national average.
The cases are so numerous on the map that it's impossible to see state boundary lines.
Food and Water Watch Research Director Amanda Starbuck said this should be a wake-up call for Iowa lawmakers.
"Iowa is one of three states where cancer cases are actually on the rise," said Starbuck. "So, this is a crisis that is happening. And our map really shows the sort of visual overlay, and really, where the burden is the greatest."
According to the research, 82% of high-glyphosate counties in Iowa have cancer rates above the national average, and of those, 20% are considered hotspots.
Starbuck said those hotspot counties had a particular issue with late detection of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma cases.
"So diagnoses that happened later on, either because people don't have access to screening or it's a very aggressive form of cancer, this rises to 95%," said Starbuck. "Ninety-five percent of those highest-rate counites are in the top tier for late stage diagnoses, which is pretty startling."
Jessica Christiansen, Bayer's head of crop science communications, has said glyphosate-based Roundup has been studied thousands of times during its 50 years on the market. "There is no linkage to cancer," Christiansen has said. "There just isn't."