Agricultural Health

Introduction

What is NIEHS Doing?

NIEHS Research Efforts

• A Human Health Perspective on Climate Change (Full Report) (4MB) A Report Outlining the Research Needs on the Human Health Effects of Climate Change
• Agricultural Health Study The Agricultural Health Study works to understand how agricultural, lifestyle, and genetic factors affect the health of farming populations.
• Captafol Profile: Report on Carcinogens U.S. workers previously were exposed to captafol during its production, formulation, or application to agricultural fields; on reentry to a sprayed field; or when working with treated timber products.
• Climate Change and Human Health The major public health organizations of the world have said that climate change is a critical public health problem.
• Some Natural Pesticide Alternatives (English) (119KB) This factsheet was prepared under the Community Assist of Southern Arizona (CASA) program as part of a grant.
• Alternativas para Pesticidas: Por la seguridad de su familia y de sus mascotas (123KB) Esta hoja de datos fue preparada bajo el programa Community Assist of Southern Arizona (CASA) como parte de una subvención.

Further Reading

Stories from the Environmental Factor (NIEHS Newsletter)

• Certain Pesticides Linked to Kidney Cancer in Agricultural Workers (July 2020)
• Chronic kidney disease in agricultural workers tackled at workshop (August 2018)
• Arcury Discusses Long-Term Study of Pesticides and Farmworker Health (March 2016)
• Redesigned Agricultural Health Study Website Launched (July 2014)
• Studies Find Arsenic in Food Adds Up (March 2012)
• Wastewater Treatment Offers a View into Environmental Chemicals' Risks (February 2014)

Additional Resources

• Talking to Your Doctor - Resources from NIH You can play an active role in your health care by talking to your doctor. Clear and honest communication between you and your physician can help you both make smart choices about your health.
• Applying 21st Century Toxicology to Green Chemical and Material Design Speakers from a number of fields participated in discussions and presentations over the course of the 2011 two-day event on "Applying 21st Century Toxicology to Green Chemical and Material Design" in environmental health decisions. Here you can find the PowerPoint presentations from each talk.
• A Watchful Eye on Farm Families' Health - CHAMACOS study shows that when pregnant women are exposed to pesticides or flame retardants, their kids may have health problems like wheezing or lower IQ. This is the eighth in a series of videos about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. The series was produced in collaboration with the Global Food Initiative at the University of California.
• NIH Study Finds Two Pesticides Associated with Parkinson's Disease - New research shows a link between use of two pesticides, rotenone and paraquat, and Parkinson's disease. People who used either pesticide developed Parkinson's disease approximately 2.5 times more often than non-users.
• Climate Change and Human Health The major public health organizations of the world have said that climate change is a critical public health problem.

Related Health Topics

• Air Pollution 
• Children's Health
• Occupational Health 
• Pesticides 
• Safe Water and Your Health

Research Links

• Thayer KA, Heindel JJ, Bucher JR, Gallo MA. Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Review. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2012;120(6):779-789. doi:10.1289/ehp.1104597. [Abstract Thayer KA, Heindel JJ, Bucher JR, Gallo MA. Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Review. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2012;120(6):779-789. doi:10.1289/ehp.1104597.] [PDF Thayer KA, Heindel JJ, Bucher JR, Gallo MA. Role of Environmental Chemicals in Diabetes and Obesity: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Review. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2012;120(6):779-789. doi:10.1289/ehp.1104597.]