Incidence and Mortality of Childhood Cancer Among Children of Farmer Pesticide Applications

Previous studies have estabished pesticide exposure as a possible risk factor for childhood cancer. The Agricultural Health Study (AHS), a prospective cohort study of pesticide exposure among 51,000 pesticide applicators in North Carolina and Iowa, provides an opportunity to study childhood cancer incidence and mortality among the children of pesticide applicators. Name and dates of birth for 21,985 children were previously provided by adult participants in the AHS. The current study seeks to identify cases of cancer among these children through record linkage to state cancer and death registries. Cancer incidence and mortality within the cohort will be compared with national data through standardized incidence and mortality ratios. A limited case-cohort comparison of pesticide exposures will also be performed. Approximately 44 cases of childhood cancer are expected to be identified. No follow-up or contact with cases is anticipated. It is anticipated that the study results will provide insight into the relationship of pesticide and other farm exposures to the pathogenesis of childhood cancer.