By Andi Anderson
A new report from Food & Water Watch links Iowa's rising cancer rates to severe manure pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The report highlights nearly 2 million fish killed by 179 manure spills across Iowa from 2013 to 2023. The northwest region of the state is particularly affected.
Manure spills release nitrates into water, creating significant environmental and health challenges. Nitrates, a byproduct of manure not absorbed by soil, pose risks like blue baby syndrome in children and colon cancer in adults. Des Moines Water Works operates one of the largest nitrate removal systems globally, costing up to $16,000 daily, an expense passed to utility customers.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fined offenders a total of $635,808 over a decade, a fraction of the costs borne by local communities. Many CAFOs lack proper discharge permits, complicating spill tracking and mitigation efforts. Some spills release as much as 1 million gallons of manure, devastating aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental advocates are urging state lawmakers to adopt stricter regulations, such as the proposed “Clean Water for Iowa Act.” This legislation would require CAFOs to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, improving accountability and reducing pollution.
The report also connects manure pollution to Iowa's unique status as the only state with rising cancer rates, though factors like obesity and alcoholism may also contribute. Food & Water Watch argues that legislative inaction and corporate practices prioritize profits over public health, urging Iowans to demand sustainable agricultural policies.
As the health and environmental crisis intensifies, advocates stress the need for immediate action to safeguard Iowa’s water and public health from the impacts of industrial agriculture.
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle