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Sunday 15 July 2012

INFOGRAPHIC: PESTICIDES THAT LURK IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES


New Picture
Pesticides Lurk in Fruits & Veggies (Infographic)
By Ross Toro,
Live Science, 13 July 2012.

Find out about pesticides in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, in today's LiveScience GoFigure infographic.Source: LiveScience

Recent [US] government pesticide tests reveal the widespread presence of pesticide residues on conventionally grown, non-organic fruits and vegetables and in tap water. Results analyzed by the [US] Environmental Working Group (EWG) show that 68 percent of food samples had detectable pesticide residues after they had been washed or peeled.

As a result of the data generated by scientists at U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration, EWG created its Dirty Dozen™ list of foods most commonly contaminated with pesticides, as well as, the Clean Fifteen™ list of the foods least likely to be pesticide-tainted.

Notable findings from the EWG study:
  • 98 percent of conventional apples have detectable levels of pesticides.
  • Domestic blueberries tested positive for 42 different pesticide residues.
  • 78 different pesticides were found on lettuce samples.
  • Every single nectarine USDA tested had measurable pesticide residues.
  • As a category, grapes have more types of pesticides than any other fruit, with 64 different chemicals.
  • 13 different pesticides were measured on a single sample each of celery and strawberries.
  • Green beans and leafy greens (kale and collard greens) were commonly contaminated with highly toxic organophosphate insecticides. These insecticides are known to affect the nervous system.
  • The produce least likely to test positive for pesticides were asparagus, avocado, cabbage, grapefruit, watermelon, eggplants, pineapples, mushrooms, onions, frozen peas and sweet potatoes.

Top image: Source

[Source: Live Science. Edited. Top image added.]


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