Apples are at the top of the list of produce most contaminated with pesticides in a report published today by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a public health advocacy group.
Its sh annual report yzed government data on 53 fruits and vegetables, (62) which have the most and least pesticides after washing and peeling. For (63) found to be highest in pesticides, the group () buying organic.
Apples moved (65) three spots from last year, replacing celery at the top of the most-contaminated list; 92% of apples (66) two or more pesticides.
"We think what’s happening to apples is more pesticides are being (67) after the harvest so the fruit can have a (68) shelf life," says EWG yst Sonya Lunder. "Pesticides might be in small amounts, but we don’t know (69) the subtle, long-term effects of many of these pesticides are yet."
The worst (70) also include strawberries and imported gs. Onions top the "clean" list, found to lowest in pesticides.
Rankings (71) the amounts of chemicals present on food when it is eaten. Most (72) were washed and peeled before testing. Washing with a "produce wash" is (73) to help remove pesticides (74) they’re taken up by the (75) plant and reside on more than just the skin, the report says.
For shoppers who cannot afford organic food, which often is more expensive, Lunder says the lists offer (76) . Can’t find organic apples Buy pineapples, the top fruit on the clean list, or avocados (鳄梨)or mangoes(芒果).
Fewer than 10% of pineapple, mango and avocado samples showed pesticides. For vegetables, asparagus (芦笋), corn and onions had no (77) residue on 90% or more of samples.
Pesticides are known to be toxic to the nervous system, cause cancer, disrupt hormones and cause brain (78) in children. Pregnant women are advised to avoid foods containing pesticides.
A study by Harvard School of Public Health found children (79) to pesticides had a higher risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(注意力不足过动症).
Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables from the "dirty dozen" list would mean you’d get an (80) of 14 different pesticides. By choosing five from the clean list, you’d consume fewer than two pesticides.
"With the increased (81) on eating more fruits and vegetables, we need to be alert about the food we’re producing and serving," Lunder says.