A new report published by
the Environmental Working Group (EWG) might make you re-think that
"apple a day" -- if it's conventionally grown using
pesticides.
According to the group's annual "dirty dozen" list of
fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues, apples
ranked number one as the most-contaminated item, up from number
four last year.
Other changes from the 2010 findings: this year, cherries
dropped off the list, and lettuce, previously absent, now appears
at number 11. The EWG uses data compiled by the
USDA to produce these findings.
Dirty Dozen 2011
- Apples
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Nectarines (imported)
- Grapes (imported)
- Sweet bell peppers
- Potatoes
- Blueberries (domestic)
- Lettuce
- Kale/collard greens
The "clean fifteen" are also
included in the report - these are fruits and veggies with the
lowest levels of pesticides so there's no need to waste your
money on organic versions. Some popular items include watermelon
and avocado.
The EWG points out that if consumers simply chose their daily
recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables from the least
contaminated list over five from the dirty dozen, they would reduce
the amount of pesticides ingested by 92% - without having to shell
out extra money for organics.
Clean Fifteen 2011
- Onions
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Avocado
- Asparagus
- Sweet peas
- Mangoes
- Eggplants
- Cantaloupe (domestic)
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Sweet potatoes
- Grapefruit
- Mushrooms
Pesticides on produce
Conventional farmers use an arsenal of pesticides to protect
their crops from insects, bacteria, rodents, molds, and fungi.
These substances can end up in the food supply. Washing and peeling
fruit and vegetables can lower pesticide residues, but not
necessarily. When the USDA tests for pesticides, they wash and peel
fruit the same way a typical consumer would.
The
National Institute of Environmental Health Services
acknowledges that scientists do not have a full understanding of
the health risks associated with exposure to agricultural pesticide
residues through food, soil, water, or air. They also report that
farmers who use pesticides experience an increase in neurological
symptoms and that the harmful
effects on children are greater than on adults.
Recent studies indicate that
pregnant women should also be careful of their exposure to
pesticides.
Three studies published in 2011 in the Journal of
Environmental Health Perspectives suggest pesticide exposure
can harm the developing fetal brain.
Organic vs. conventional produce
Organic produce is grown without synthetic
pesticides or fertilizers. However, organics can be harder to
find and prohibitively expensive. If you are concerned about
consuming pesticides, the EWG's dirty dozen and clean fifteen
lists can help you make the safest and most affordable choices.