A recent report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed that several popular summer fruits are heavily coated with pesticides and forever chemicals, some of which are linked to cancer. The organization's annual 'Dirty Dozen' list highlights the most contaminated produce based on US Department of Agriculture tests.
Strawberries Top the List
Strawberries rank as the dirtiest fruit this year, with 99 percent of samples testing positive for pesticide residues. Up to 23 different pesticides were found on a single sample. Bifenthrin, a possible carcinogen, appeared on 29 percent of samples, while carbendazim, a hormone disruptor banned in the EU, was on 16 percent. Additionally, 84 percent of strawberries contained at least one forever chemical.
Grapes and Stone Fruits Follow
Grapes came second, with over 80 percent of samples showing residues of forever chemicals. Nectarines and peaches took third and fourth places, respectively. A single peach sample could contain up to 19 pesticides, with 99 percent contaminated. Fludioxonil, a fungicide and forever chemical, was found on 90 percent of peach samples, and propiconazole, linked to liver and reproductive toxicity, was on over 40 percent.
Cherries Round Out Top Five
Cherries placed fifth, with an average of five pesticide residues per sample. Iprodione, a fungicide classified as a likely carcinogen, was commonly detected.
The Full Dirty Dozen
The complete list includes spinach, kale, collard and mustard greens, strawberries, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, cherries, blueberries, and green beans. EWG stressed that despite these findings, the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks, but more work is needed to reduce pesticide exposure.
