Pesticides have long been used to control damage to food crops and enhance production. While America’s food supply is perfectly safe according to the USDA, many consumers are concerned that the chemicals that are used to kill pests could linger on food, and that they and their families could be ingesting them.
Some studies indicate that the chemical “body burden,” as it is medically known, is particularly problematic for children, whose developing bodies and brains can be particularly vulnerable. A 2005 study published in the American Journal of American Medical Association reported that the incidence of illness linked to pesticide use is on the rise. Other studies have linked organophosphates, the most common class of pesticides, to developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and motor dysfunction. Additionally, these chemicals tend to be retained by the body, and they can continue to build up from decade to decade.
Studies have demonstrated that pesticides do seep into the fruits and vegetables we eat. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1996 found pesticides in more than 70 percent of the samples it analyzed. While some foods, such as onions, bananas, and asparagus are less susceptible to pesticide retention, others like peaches, apples, and peppers can contain high levels of the chemicals and should be thoroughly washed before they are consumed. Concerned parents can substitute less contaminated, yet equally nutritious foods in place of those that are more likely to contain pesticides. Additionally, many parents have turned to organic foods, which are grown without pesticides or genetic modifications.
Further complicating the effort of parents to assure the safety of their children’s menus is the fact that much of the food we consume is imported from outside the United States. Most foreign countries do not have as stringent regulations overseeing the use of pesticides, and imported food may be more likely to contain high levels of pesticides when they reach the table.
More information about pesticides and food safety can be found at the following websites:
