The Environmental Working Group (EWG) looks at data from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration every year. They look for the results of tests of foods grown that show the most and least amounts of pesticide contamination. They call their findings the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. This year, strawberries once again topped the Dirty Dozen list with avocadoes and sweet corn being on the top of the Clean Fifteen.
For the sixth year in a row, the EWG has designated strawberries at the top of their Dirty Dozen foods list. The data they analyzed found that over 90% of tested strawberry samples had the detectable residue of at least two different pesticides.
But new research has found that consumption of two fungicides that are found on nearly 90% of citrus samples the EWG tested (as well as two other pesticides) may increase a woman's risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer.
The study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology and suggests that the amounts legally 'allowed' may still be putting us at risk.
The highlighted chemicals were hormone-disrupting fungicides. Fungicides imazalil and thiabendazole (don't those sound delicious?), as well as neurotoxic insecticides chlorpyrifos (which recently was forbidden to be used in human-grade foods) and malathion, were found to contaminate 90% of citrus the EWG studied.
Exposure to the synthetic pesticides imazalil, chlorpyrifos, malathion and thiabendazole, showed a 73% increase in breast cancer risk. Diets low in synthetic pesticides and high in organic foods have been associated with a 43 percent REDUCTION in breast cancer risk, however.
We know not every family can afford to buy safe, chemical-free foods. Organic or 'clean' fruits and vegetables are pricey for many families and that's near sinful considering the consumption of such fruits and vegetables has been linked to everything from cardiovascular problems to fertility problems to cancer.
The EWG recommends choosing organic produce whenever possible, but knows that this isn't always feasible. That's where the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen come in--to show what you should be careful about in buying when it comes to organic or conventional.
DIRTY DOZEN
Images: Natalia Lisovskaya/Shutterstock
For the sixth year in a row, the EWG has designated strawberries at the top of their Dirty Dozen foods list. The data they analyzed found that over 90% of tested strawberry samples had the detectable residue of at least two different pesticides.
But new research has found that consumption of two fungicides that are found on nearly 90% of citrus samples the EWG tested (as well as two other pesticides) may increase a woman's risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer.
The study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology and suggests that the amounts legally 'allowed' may still be putting us at risk.
The highlighted chemicals were hormone-disrupting fungicides. Fungicides imazalil and thiabendazole (don't those sound delicious?), as well as neurotoxic insecticides chlorpyrifos (which recently was forbidden to be used in human-grade foods) and malathion, were found to contaminate 90% of citrus the EWG studied.
- Imazalil is listed in California's registry of chemicals known by the state to cause cancer and is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- The EPA classifies thiabendazole as likely to be carcinogenic at doses high enough to disrupt thyroid hormones.
- Malathion, commonly sprayed outdoors to control mosquitos and other pests, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, as "likely carcinogenic to humans" and by the EPA as showing "suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity."
- Chlorpyrifos is the most widely used organophosphate insecticide in the U.S., with millions of pounds sprayed every year. EPA scientists have found that in small doses it can damage children's brains. We recently told you of a Circuit Court's decision to ban this pesticide's use on foods within 60 days.
Exposure to the synthetic pesticides imazalil, chlorpyrifos, malathion and thiabendazole, showed a 73% increase in breast cancer risk. Diets low in synthetic pesticides and high in organic foods have been associated with a 43 percent REDUCTION in breast cancer risk, however.
We know not every family can afford to buy safe, chemical-free foods. Organic or 'clean' fruits and vegetables are pricey for many families and that's near sinful considering the consumption of such fruits and vegetables has been linked to everything from cardiovascular problems to fertility problems to cancer.
The EWG recommends choosing organic produce whenever possible, but knows that this isn't always feasible. That's where the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen come in--to show what you should be careful about in buying when it comes to organic or conventional.
DIRTY DOZEN
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collard and mustard greens
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Bell and hot peppers
- Celery
- Tomatoes
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Eggplants
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Kiwi
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew melon
- Cantaloupe
Images: Natalia Lisovskaya/Shutterstock
