Monday, July 25, 2011

To Eat Or Not To Eat: Pesticide Residue in Produce

The "Dirty Dozen" displayed in a graphic
using an Old West motif.
The new version of the list known as the “Dirty Dozen” from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has sparked a debate on the safety of our fruits and vegetables. The “Dirty Dozen” is a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that were found to contain the highest levels of pesticide residue. They are: apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines (imported), grapes (imported), sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries (domestic), lettuce, and kale/collard greens. Apples were this year’s number one, or “dirtiest” produce item, with 97.8% testing positive for pesticides.

[On the opposite side, the "Clean 15" were found to be: onions, sweet corn, pineapples, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangoes, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, and mushrooms.]
Recent studies have found that children exposed to pesticides through food were at a higher risk of being diagnosed with ADHD. (2) (3) Another study found that children had lower IQs compared to their peers when their pregnant mothers were exposed to pesticides. (4)

A spokesperson for EWG stated that exposure to pesticides can be reduced by up to 80 percent if one makes it a point to purchase organic forms of fruits and vegetables, including those listed among the Dirty Dozen. However it's important to maintain a diet full of fruits and vegetables; whether you purchase organic or not, not even the risk of pesticide residue should prevent you from getting your daily fill.

So don’t let the thought of pesticides stop you from enjoying a fresh salad or a farmers market this summer. Just be sure to purchase organic produce if possible, and always remember to wash them thoroughly in water and peel off the outer layer before using. (Note: Never use soap, as this may lead to gastrointestinal upset)

Key Quote:
"One of the best things you can do for yourself, your family, and your community is to eat local and organic whenever possible. Organic farmers must adhere to strict rules regarding pesticide and fertilizer use (only organic, natural ones are allowed)." -- From The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Clean (Penguin Group, 2009; Chapter 5: How Clean Can You Be?, page 55) by Diane A. Welland, M.S., R.D.

Tips from the Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/tips.htm


Source Links:
3. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/16/science/la-sci-pesticides-20100517
7. http://www.latimes.com/health/ct-x-0622-health-pesticide-20110622,0,6385683.story
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