REPORT OF A PANEL ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES AND CANCER

BACKGROUND. Pesticides, which by their nature are biologically active compounds, continue to raise public concern regarding their possible r ole as important etiologic agents in the development of human cancer. METHODS. To examine this potential role, the National Cancer Institute of Canada convened an Ad Hoc Panel on Pesticides and Cancer to examin e the possible contribution of pesticide exposure, particularly in the general population, to the development of human cancer. RESULTS. The Panel focused primarily on exposure in the general population and revi ewed a range of studies that addressed issues related to dietary expos ure as well as incidental home and garden uses. In addition, the Panel examined the regulatory framework that exists to safeguard the public from potentially carcinogenic pesticides and also reviewed some poten tial benefits of pesticide use, including the availability of an abund ant and low cost supply of fresh fruits and vegetables as an important strategy in the overall mitigation of cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS. The P anel concluded that it was not aware of any definitive evidence to sug gest that synthetic pesticides contribute significantly to overall can cer mortality. The Panel also concluded that it did not believe that a ny increased intake of pesticide residues associated with increased in take of fruits and vegetables poses any increased risk of cancer. The Panel further concluded, among other things, that tobacco use continue s to be the most important preventable cause of cancer and premature m ortality and thus is an appropriate focus for cancer control strategy. [See editorial on pages 1887-8, this issue.] (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.