Increased Pesticide Use in Soybean Crops Poses Risk to Nearby Populations

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from Tufts University has found a significant increase in the use of the herbicide 2,4-D on soybean crops in Illinois, with a median increase of 341% between 2017 and 2023. This increase has led to a growing concern for the health and safety of populations living near agricultural fields. The study used a geospatial approach to map areas of high pesticide exposure and identified 98.9-99.7% of the population of Champaign County living within 1 km of at least 0.04 km(2) of soybean crops.

Key Takeaways:

  • The use of 2,4-D on soybean crops has increased by a median of 341% in each county in Illinois between 2017 and 2023.
  • 98.9-99.7% of the population of Champaign County lives within 1 km of at least 0.04 km(2) of soybean crops.
  • Between 2017 and 2023, the area where the most 2,4-D (30 kg) was applied to soybean crops increased from 0.01% of the population to 20.2%.
  • In 2023, approximately 47,000 people in Champaign County were at potential risk of exposure to 30 kg of 2,4-D.
  • The study suggests that the use of 2,4-D has been associated with increased physiological levels of 2,4-D.
  • Elisa Jazan, Mark Woodin, and Timothy Griffin were additional authors on the study.

Statistics:

  • 341% median increase in 2,4-D application on soybeans in each county in Illinois between 2017 and 2023.
  • 98.9-99.7% of the population of Champaign County lives within 1 km of at least 0.04 km(2) of soybean crops.
  • 24.5% of the population was potentially exposed in 2017, increasing to 44.5% in 2023.
  • 20.2% of the population in 2023 was at potential risk of exposure to 30 kg of 2,4-D.

Sources:

  • Studies from Tufts University in the Area of Soybean Crops Reported (Mapping Temporal Trends of Pesticide Use and Identifying Potential Non-occupation Population Exposure Using a Geospatial Approach). Agriculture Week.
  • Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany. (Nature Publishing Group - www.nature.com/; Scientific Reports - www.nature.com/srep/)
  • Elisa Jazan, Tufts University, School of Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 200 Coll Ave, Medford, MA 02155, United States.
  • Mark Woodin and Timothy Griffin, Additional authors on the study.