Ingested nitrate and nitrite, drinking water disinfection by-products, and incidence of thyroid cancer among licensed pesticide applicators and spouses in the Agricultural Health Study

Key Points

• Investigate the relationship between ingested nitrate, nitrite, and thyroid cancer incidence.
• Analyzed data from the Agricultural Health Study
• Assessed exposure to drinking water nitrate and nitrite
• Evaluated association with thyroid cancer incidence
• No clear evidence linking drinking water nitrate to thyroid cancer
• No significant association found with nitrite or disinfection by-products
• Results did not indicate dietary nitrate as a risk factor for thyroid cancer