July 14, 2024 – It seems like weekly we hear of pesticide use is slowly poisoning us. This is not over the short term, but over many years. Healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables are now recognized that along with nutrients, they also come with dangerous pesticides. While our government has forced some pesticides off the market, it has been slow to move on others. Then, when one product is banned, growers often switch to another pesticide that is just as bad. Further, the government allowable intake of pesticide contaminated vegetables is generally recognized as being way too high. One reason for the high allowable intake is powerful chemical companies lobbying for their continued use.
Ok, most wash their fruits and vegetables purchased at stores or roadside stands, but is that enough? Some peel vegetables and fruits, which helps, but it also removes some of the best nutritional value. Also, if a systemic pesticide has been used, the chemicals have penetrated further into the item. Even watermelon can have pesticides inside the rind.
OK, so you buy organic vegetables. While this is a major improvement, it’s more expensive and still not a guarantee. Even organically grown potatoes, for example, can be contaminated with pesticides if they are processed at a factory that also processes conventionally grown potatoes.
Wheat oats, rice and perhaps other grains may be grown without pesticides. But, when part of the crop is ready and part still green, the entire crop might be sprayed with glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup pesticide, which immediately kills all so the entire crop can be harvested.
We’ve grown vegetables organically in pure compost for many years, but we still thoroughly wash our produce, just in case some of the compost was contaminated before becoming compost. Washing is water is best. Soap doesn’t help.
