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For cancer, up to a 150% increase in risk has been shown in a comprehensive new study of the effects of pesticide exposure. There was evidence of high rates of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, leukemia, prostate, lung, and skin cancers associated with long-term exposure to common pesticides, including organophosphates and glyphosate-based products.

Exposure via inhalation, skin, or drinking water is the highest risk to farmers, agricultural workers, and people living close to or in farmlands. The study highlights that the combined risk is high even when food residues are at low frequency.

There is a need to be more stringent with the rules, more protective as regards farmers, and greater promotion of organic farming, health experts say. Immediate action is suggested with pesticide dependency reduction through integrated pest management. This research reinforces the growing global awareness of the health impacts of modern agriculture that are not visible yet devastating and how sorely we need safer options to modern agriculture.