Toxic Taps: Iowa's Water Quality Crisis

Description

Consistently unhealthy nitrate levels pollute much of Iowa’s drinking water. Iowa’s pesticide usage per capita leads the nation. The state ranks second in the nation for cancer and is one of three states where the incidence of cancer is growing. What are the connections?

On September 3, Toxic Taps and Cancer: Iowa’s Water Quality Crisis looks to provide some answers with a panel of experts examining the public health consequences of nitrate and other industrial agriculture pollutants in Iowa’s drinking water and air.

Fifth generation Linn farmer Dan Voss is no stranger to cancer. Both he and his wife, Susan, are cancer survivors. Voss will share his experience and how it has shaped their perspectives on the connections between agriculture, environmental health, and community resilience.

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) public health expert Audrey Tran Lam will dive into the health impacts of nitrates, agricultural pesticides, PFAS, and factory farm-generated particulates. She’ll provide a look at their relationship with water and air quality and, in turn, what that means for human health.

Since nitrates and other agricultural toxins wind up in our water, it’s crucial to know what we’re drinking. University of Iowa researcher Dr. David Cwiertny will discuss the value of the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research (IIHR) real-time nitrate monitoring network, the status of current funding, and why it’s essential that the state restores full funding to the program. He’ll also talk about an exciting new, privately funded program, Iowa INSIGHT, that will expand the scope of water and air monitoring beyond the current IIHR nitrate monitoring network.

Bring your questions for the Q&A that follows the presentations.

The meeting is free. A $5 free will donation supports IARA’s work advocating for a factory farm moratorium, stronger CAFO regulations, and a fully funded IIHR monitoring network.

Learn more about IARA at www.iowaresponsibleagriculture.org