Pesticide exposure may increase brain cancer risk

Isabelle from the University of Bordeaux II in France conducted a survey on the Gironde region of France, a grape-producing area where pesticides are used extensively. By analyzing the lifestyles and pesticide exposure of 221 brain cancer patients and comparing them with 442 people randomly selected from the same area, she concluded that farmers and grape growers who are frequently exposed to pesticides have a 2.6 times higher risk of developing brain cancer than ordinary people. This conclusion was announced at a recent conference.

France is the world's second-largest user of pesticides after the United States, with 100,000 tons of pesticides used in agriculture each year, according to the French Cancer Research Association. They say the increase in brain cancer cases from long-term exposure to pesticides is reason enough for action.

Therefore, it is recommended that farmers or other individuals should minimize the chance of exposure to pesticides, take protective measures when using pesticides, always wear masks and gloves, change the method of spraying pesticides, and do not mix various products together.