Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act (ICPSA)
The Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act (ICPSA) is a student-led, science-grounded legislative initiative to cut nitrate contamination in Iowa's drinking water and lower the state's cancer rate. Iowa has the 2nd-highest and fastest-growing cancer rate in the nation, linked to nitrate runoff from agricultural pollution.
Sections of the Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act
-
The Crisis
— Iowa's nitrate water crisis: the 2nd-highest and fastest-growing cancer rate in the nation, linked to agricultural nitrate runoff in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers.
-
The Act
— The full text and provisions of the Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act: a 5 mg/L nitrate health standard, a $5/acre cover-crop cost-share, a landlord conservation credit, and a Municipal Clean Water Mitigation Fund.
-
Heat Map
— An interactive 99-county heat map of Iowa nitrate levels and cancer incidence, measured against the ICPSA's 5 mg/L health standard.
-
Our Plan
— The phased plan to pass the Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act in the 2027 Iowa legislative session: the Chemical Audit, the Farm to Faucet Agriculture Health Summit, and the legislative push.
-
Accountability
— How Governor Kim Reynolds' water-quality record compares to the ICPSA's source-level prevention approach for clean Iowa water.
-
Get Involved
— Sign the petition, join a student committee, and share your story to advance the Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act.
-
Who We Are
— Meet the student team and advisors behind the Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act, a Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness initiative.
Executive Board & Team
-
Preet Shukla
— Creator & Team Lead, ICPSA
-
Sebnati Jemal
— Development Director, ICPSA
-
Arjun Anugole
— Research Director, ICPSA
-
Endrit Ramku
— Policy & Legislative Liaison, ICPSA
-
Duru Akgun
— Social Media & Outreach Coordinator, ICPSA
Advisors & Mentors
-
Chris Jones
— University of Iowa water-quality researcher, author of
The Swine Republic
, and ICPSA mentor
-
Dr. Austin Baeth
— Iowa State Representative, physician, and ICPSA advisor
-
Chris Henning
— Rural Iowa farmer and ICPSA voice
Founded by Preet Shukla, Sebnati Jemal, Duru Akgun, Endrit Ramku, and Arjun Anugole, recognized by the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness. The Iowa Cancer Prevention and Safety Act targets the 2027 Iowa legislative session.