A recent study conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine has revealed a concerning trend: an increasing number of pregnant women in Indiana are testing positive for the presence of dicamba, a toxic herbicide commonly used in agriculture. The study, which spanned from 2020 to 2022, found that 70% of pregnant women tested had dicamba in their urine, compared to only 28% in a similar study conducted from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, the concentration of dicamba in the women's urine has increased more than fourfold.

In both studies, all women tested had detectable levels of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), another herbicide commonly used in agriculture. The more recent study showed a slight increase in the concentration of 2,4-D, although the increase was not statistically significant.

These findings are alarming and add to the growing body of evidence regarding human exposure to agricultural chemicals. Many scientists are particularly concerned about the impact of these chemicals on pregnant women and their unborn children. Paul Winchester, a clinical professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating that "fetal DNA is being shaped by these exposures." Winchester also expressed concern about the potential health effects of these chemicals on fetuses, citing studies that have linked dicamba exposure to an increased risk of liver and bile-duct cancers.

The use of dicamba and 2,4-D in agriculture has increased dramatically in recent years, due in part to the development of genetically engineered crops that are resistant to these chemicals. However, this increased use has also led to the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds, further exacerbating the problem. Charles Benbrook, a co-author of the study, criticized the approval of these technologies, stating that "this is a technology they probably should never have approved."

Despite the concerns raised by the study, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will allow millions of gallons of dicamba to be sprayed this growing season, despite a federal court ruling that vacated the registrations of the weedkiller. This decision has sparked outrage among environmental advocates and highlights the need for more stringent regulation of agricultural chemicals.

In conclusion, the study's findings underscore the urgent need to address the issue of herbicide exposure among pregnant women. More research is needed to fully understand the health effects of these chemicals, and regulatory agencies must take action to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of agricultural chemicals.