In recent years, the United States has increased pesticide use in its food supply. Over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually, and there is evidence that suggests that the pesticide residues are affecting human health (and animal health). We recommend growing your own fruits and vegetables instead of purchasing from the store, as this is the only way to guarantee healthy food. This is because there are a number of pesticides, herbicides (weed killers), insecticides, and fungicides on store-bought produce (even organic foods). Read this article to learn more about the health benefits of gardening. If growing your own produce is not an option, find a local CSA that does not use these toxic chemicals, or go to your local farmer’s market. Just make sure you ask the seller about their use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The FDA tests samples of fruits and vegetables for pesticide residue levels (from commercial farms), and those results are reported every year, listed in parts per million or parts per billion ratios.
What is parts per million (PPM)?
PPM is one part out of 1 million parts, e.g., a residue of 1 ppm is equivalent to 1 µg (microgram) of residue in one gram of a food sample. A lot of pesticide salesmen will tell farmers that the PPM is one part out of 1 million parts, e.g., a residue of 1 ppm is equivalent to 1 µg (microgram) of residue in one gram of a food sample. A lot of chemical industry salesmen will tell farmers that the small amounts of pesticide levels are within the legal limits of the acceptable daily intake, and won’t increase Americans’ cancer risk. The amount of safe pesticide exposure depends on the chemical. Let’s look at drug administration as an example. Fentanyl pills come in 100 microgram tablets. For a 100lb person who doesn’t take narcotics, even this small amount can be lethal. Fiber, on the other hand, is recommended to consume 30 grams (30,000,000 micrograms) per day. Depending on the substance, it can vary greatly on how much is “safe” to consume. We have added links to the chemical residues below, which will link to a page about the chemical and long-term effects concerning the amounts consumed. You’ll be surprised to find that even low-level exposure to chemical pesticides has nervous system effects, birth defects, and other public health concerns. However, studies also show that eating an organic diet will reduce the amount of chemicals found and excreted by the body. Unfortunately, the limits for organic produce have increased over the years. Many organic farmers can now use the same amount of pesticides on both their organic crops as their traditional crops (but they will still charge more for their organic food, because of the cost associated with the organic certification). More links with new scientific research and risk assessments will be added to this page regularly.
Here is a list of easy to grow produce, and the amount of chemicals found on them by the EPA.
Links to the different pesticides applied during food production with conventional farming methods, will take you to the page that explains the long-term health effects with chronic exposure. As more food system research is done by the FDA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Institute of Health, links will be added and updated.
Fruit trees:
Fruit trees are an easy way to begin your own organic farm and lower your health risks due to high doses of toxic substances. You pretty much just plant it and forget it. Most fruit trees produce edible fruit within a couple of years, but some can produce food crops the next year. Dwarf trees (growing up to about 15 feet) and self-pollinating trees are available in many types, allowing folks with small yards to also enjoy the “fruits of their labor.” (Most fruit trees require at least 2 trees in the area to produce a crop of fruit, self-pollinating trees will produce a fruit crop with only one tree.) There are also small citrus trees available that can be grown in pots and moved indoors for the winter. Here is a nursery that sells a variety of fruit trees, based on your USDA zone. If you are not sure of your zone Click Here to be redirected to find out.
Apples: One medium apple is approximately 182 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
PYRIMETHANIL
13.4
M
2439 mcg per medium apple
DIPHENYLAMINE
2.59
M
471 mcg per medium apple
CARBARYL
1.69
M
307 mcg per medium apple
THIABENDAZOLE
1.26
M
218 mcg per medium apple
CAPTAN
0.346
M
63 mcg per medium apple
FENPROPATHRIN
0.237
M
43 mcg per medium apple
ACETAMIPRID
0.133
M
24 mcg per medium apple
CARBENDAZIM (MBC)
0.12
M
22 mcg per medium apple
Clementines: One clementine is approximately 74 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
IMAZALIL
3.89
M
288 mcg per clementine
THIABENDAZOLE
1.98
M
147 mcg per clementine
PYRIMETHANIL
1.42
M
105 mcg per clementine
Grapes: 1 cup of grapes is approximately 151 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
IPRODIONE
2.664
M
402 mcg per cup of grapes
FENHEXAMID
1.43
M
216 mcg per cup of grapes
Nectarines: One nectarine is approximately 140 grams
Here is a nursery that sells a variety of fruit trees, based on your USDA zone. If you are not sure of your zone Click Here to be redirected to find out.
Perennial Berries:
Perennial berries are also great for a low-maintenance crop, which can be planted in planters that can be moved around (and indoors for a longer growing season). If planted early enough, you can expect fruit the first year. However, the first-year crop will generally be smaller in size and quantity than the second year of the crop. Depending on your planting zone, outside pots may need to be buried for insulation from the ground due to the extremely cold air temperatures. The rule of thumb is that if planted in a pot that will remain outside (and above ground), make sure the plant is zoned at least one zone lower than the zone it will be in.
Blueberries: 1/2 cup of blueberries is approximately 74 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
PHOSMET
7.42
M
549 mcg per 1/2 cup of blueberries
Raspberry: 1 cup of raspberries is approximately 123 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
BIFENAZATE
4.7
M
578 mcg per cup of raspberries
Strawberry: 1 cup of strawberries cut in half is approximately 152 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
CAPTAN
4.04
M
614 mcg per cup of strawberries
THIOPHANATE-METHYL
1.58
M
240 mcg per cup of strawberries
Herbs:
Herbs are easy to grow in pots and can be moved to a sunny windowsill for a year-long crop in the winter. Here is a list of herbs saturated with chemicals that can easily be grown at home.
Basil: 1 tablespoon of chopped basil is approximately 3 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
AMETOCTRADIN
14.1
M
42.3 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
METHOXYFENOZIDE
5.34
M
16.02 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
CYAZOFAMID
4.69
M
14.07 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
AZOXYSTROBIN
3.261
M
9.78 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
IMIDACLOPRID
2.15
M
6.45 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
CHLORANTRANILIPROLE
1.82
M
5.46 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
MANDIPROPAMIDE
1.61
M
4.83 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
DIMETHOMORPH
1.51
M
4.53 mcg per tbsp chopped basil
Cilantro: 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro is approximately 1 gram
Parsley: 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley is approximately 4 grams
Chemical Name
Amount
Unit
Total Chemical Per Serving
METHIOCARB
13
M
52 mcg per tbsp parsley
MALATHION
1.55
M
6.2 mcg pert tbsp parsley
Vegetables:
These are easy to grow vegetables that will drastically reduce the amount of pesticides and herbicides you eat. These vegetables can be grown in containers, and can be started and finished indoors to extend the growing season. Growing your own vegetables will ensure that your salads are actually healthy, instead of eating a bowl full of pesticides. Read this article for more information on how to save money while growing your own vegetables.
Asparagus: 1 cup of asparagus is approximately 134 grams
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