The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases an annual list called the “Dirty Dozen,” every year that identifies twelve fruits and vegetables that are most contaminated with pesticides. The list is based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are many reasons these fruits and vegetables are so dangerous to our health and can impact our diet and fitness.
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill pests and save the produce from being destroyed. However, high levels of these chemicals are harmful to human health.
Long-term exposure to pesticides is linked to many health problems like cancer, hormone disruption, and neurological issues. They also affect the reproductive system and may lead to developmental problems in children.
Short-term exposure to high levels of pesticides can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and skin and eye irritation.
Some people are more vulnerable like children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The use of pesticides also has a broader environmental impact like contamination of soil and water, poisoning wildlife, your pets and more. This can indirectly disrupting ecosystems that support food production and harm humans
Pesticides accumulate in your body over time. This repeated exposure multiplies the poisonous effects as they accumulate in body tissues.
The “Dirty Dozen” for 2024 according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues:
Pesticides are used to control pests like insects, weeds, fungi, and rodents. because they can cause significant damage to yilds and quality of crops.
It is all about the money! Pesticides increase crop yields by minimizing the damage caused by pests. That means more food can be produced on the same amount of land… essential for feeding an ever growing global population.
Pesticides prevent crop losses and allow farmers to maintain the financial stability of their operations.
Consumers demand fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. As a result, Pesticides help ensure sufficient quantities
Although regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States set limits on the amount and types of pesticides …. these agencies are heavily lobbied by big business who want to maintain their profits. It should be noted that Pesticides are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect new scientific knowledge. That being said, many of the pesticides used in the USA are banned in other countries
Pesticides play a role in global food security by helping to protect crops from pests and diseases. In regions where food scarcity is a concern, the use of pesticides can help ensure a stable food supply
5 ways you can reduce your exposure to pesticides in fruits and vegetable and choose healthy foods to eat:
For more tips on maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, check out healthy lifestyle blogs for the latest advice and information.
References:
(1)https://usrtk.org/pesticides/atrazine/
(4)https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/food-and-pesticides
(5)https://www.fda.gov/food/chemical-contaminants-pesticides/pesticides
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