why organic

as you know buying organic produce is earth friendly, but did you also know it's "child proof"?

the consumers union and the environmental working group have concluded that one-year-olds eat three times as many fresh peaches, per pound of body weight, as do adults, and more than four times as many apples and pears. children's rapidly developing bodies are more vulnerable to pesticide residue than adults are. pregnant women should also take care, as many pesticides cross the placenta to expose the fetus.

lots of people wonder, "which are the fruits and vegetables most likely to contain pesticide residue?" based on a study by the consumers union and the environmental working group, here is a list of the top ten produce items to buy organic.

*peaches contain high residues of iprodione, classified as a probable human carcinogen by the environmental protection agency and methyl parathion, an endocrine disruptor and organophosphate (op) insecticide. according to consumer reports, single servings of peaches "consistently exceeded" epa's safe daily limit for a 44-pound child.

*apples may contain methyl parathion. both fresh apples and baby food applesauce can also contain chlorpyrifos.

*nectarines had the highest percentage of samples test positive for pesticides (97.3%). common pesticides found included chlorpyrifos, fenarimol, iprodione, malathion, methidathion, myclobutanil, parathion, and pirimicarb.

*the enhanced red color of strawberries comes from the fungicide captan, a probable human carcinogen that can irritate skin and eyes, and is highly toxic to fish. while the lethal soil fumigate methyl bromide doesn't show up on the fruit, it has harmed california farm workers, and depletes the ozone layer.

*pears, both fresh and in baby food, can come with methyl parathion, as well as the op azinphos-methyl, which is toxic to freshwater fish, amphibians, and bees.

*there are many varieties of bell peppers and even more different types of pesticides used on them. testing ranked bell peppers as the vegetable with the most pesticides found in a single sample and the vegetable with the most pesticides overall.

*celery had the highest percentage of samples test positive for pesticides and highest likelihood of having multiple pesticides in a single sample.

*grapes contain methyl parathion and methomyl, a carbamate insecticide listed as an endocrine disruptor; as well as dimethoate. the pesticide residue levels frequently exceed acceptable levels.

*permethrin, a possible human carcinogen, and dimethoate dominated spinach's toxicity ratings, but cu notes that residue levels have been declining as u.s. farmers reduce the use of these insecticides. ddt has been found in spinach, which leads all foods in exceeding safety tolerances.

my general rule of thumb is "if you eat the whole thing, buy organic" (ie: apples, pears, berries, celery, carrots, spinach etc). i also look for locally grown food, which is less likely to be treated with post-harvest pesticides, at farmers' markets around town.

to find a farmers' market in your area, please check out local harvest or if you're in arizona, check out arizona community farmers markets or community food connection.