The easiest way to avoid pesticides and other chemicals in one’s produce is to buy certified organic produce. However, this is not always possible. Thus, it’s important to know which crops are contaminated with the highest amounts of pesticides.
The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) found that of the 42 fruits and vegetables with the highest amounts of pesticides, more than half of the total dietary risk from pesticides in these foods was concentrated in just 12 crops. These pesticides are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as probable human carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine system disruptors. Therefore, if you need to prioritize your organic food dollars, you will still substantially reduce the dietary pesticide risk by just avoiding the most contaminated produce. Continue reading