According to a new study by the non-profit organization Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK), the fruits and vegetables we buy daily at supermarkets may contain alarming levels of pesticides.
Pesticides are chemical or biological substances that farmers use to kill or repel insects, weeds, and fungi to protect their crops. However, the use of pesticides is associated with numerous health risks for humans and the environment (soil, water, pollinators).
As a result, chemical analysis identified the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables found in stores. Topping the list were grapefruit, , and limes.
The Pesticide Cocktail
When there is more than one pesticide present, and they act together, it becomes particularly dangerous. This is referred to as the “cocktail effect.”
During their research, experts discovered multi-component pesticide cocktails. As noted by lead author Nick Mole, a significant portion of food in supermarkets is increasingly contaminated, leading to various health issues, including cancer.
Overall, the team found traces of 123 “bad” chemicals in fruits and vegetables from conventional supermarkets, 42 of which are linked to cancer development. Additionally, 21 chemicals affect the hormonal system, according to the Daily Mail.
What Did the Analysis Show?
Researchers were shocked to find that residues of multiple pesticides were present in 99 percent of the grapefruit samples studied. Grapes were not far behind, with 89.8 percent of samples contaminated. The pesticide cocktail was also found in over 79 percent of the limes examined by the experts.
The pesticide contamination levels in the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables (percentage of samples of each type that contained a pesticide cocktail) are as follows:
- Grapefruit 99.17
- Grapes 89.81
- Limes 79.17
- Bananas 67.12
- Sweet Peppers 48.96
- Melons 46.39
- Beans 37.5
- Chili Peppers 37.5
- Mushrooms 31.25
- Broccoli 26.45
- Eggplant 22.92
- Dried Beans 20.83
In addition to these fruits and vegetables, concerning results were also found for potatoes (19.18%), certain root vegetables (18.75%), ginger (11.11%), and garlic (2.78%).
The only item in the fruit and vegetable category that did not show critical levels of contaminants was .
The most commonly detected hazardous chemicals were two fungicides—imazalil and thiabendazole. These substances negatively impact the human endocrine system and may cause cancer. They were found in significant quantities in grapefruits, , and melons.
