Tag: EWG

Produce Pesticide Residues – EWG’s Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen Annual Updates

The Environmental Workers Group (EWG) ranks popular produce by analyzing pesticide residue testing data from the U.S.D.A. and the F.D.A. From this information, they rank produce for their Clean 15 list and their Dirty Dozen list.

The 2016 Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen list is a list of the popular produce with the highest pesticide residue. Number one on the list is the “dirtiest” or most pesticide laden. For the past 5 years, apples have topped the list. This year they have been outranked. Strawberries now top the list. One their website, the EWG states the following in regards to the Dirty Dozen:

Key findings:

  • More than 98 percent of strawberry samples, peaches, nectarines, and apples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue.
  • The average potato had more pesticides by weight than any other produce.
  • A single grape sample and a sweet bell pepper sample contained 15 pesticides.
  • Single samples of strawberries showed 17 different pesticides.

The list is a warning. If you do not want to ingest toxic food, these are the conventional fruits and vegetables to avoid. Don’t choose these fruits and vegetables unless they are organic. Washing does not remove all pesticide traces. In some cases, peeling them does not remove all pesticides. This year’s Dirty Dozen list is as follows:

  1. Strawberries
  2. Apples
  3. Nectarines
  4. Peaches
  5. Celery
  6. Grapes
  7. Cherries
  8. Spinach
  9. Tomatoes
  10. Sweet bell peppers
  11. Cherry tomatoes
  12. Cucumbers

Hot peppers and leafy greens don’t meet the criteria to be ranked on the Dirty Dozen but they are a special concern because they are often contaminated with residue of highly toxic pesticides including organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Some of these chemicals have been banned from use on other crops because they but are still allowed for use on peppers and greens. Organophosphates are neurotoxins that have been linked to low birth weight, low IQ, and disrupted brain development. Without question these greens and hot peppers should be on the “choose organic only” list.

The 2016 Clean 15

The Clean Fifteen are the top popular produce items that are the safest choices for conventional produce. The number 1 ranked avocado is the “cleanest.” There is one thing to keep in mind, however. Organic is best. And while corn and papayas may be relatively clean as far as pesticide residue, it is still wise to choose organic to avoid GMOs. Conventionally grown corn and papaya may be GM crops. One their website, the EWG states the following in regards to the Clean 15:

Key findings:

  • Avocados were the cleanest: only 1 percent of avocado samples showed any detectable pesticides.
  • Some 89 percent of pineapples, 81 percent of papayas, 78 percent of mangoes, 73 percent of kiwi and 62 percent of cantaloupes had no residues.
  • No single fruit sample from the Clean Fifteen™ tested positive for more than 4 types of pesticides.
  • Multiple pesticide residues are extremely rare on Clean Fifteen™ vegetables. Only 5.5 percent of Clean Fifteen samples had two or more pesticides.

The Clean 15

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet Corn
  3. Pineapples
  4. Cabbage
  5. Sweet peas frozen
  6. Onions
  7. Asparagus
  8. Mangos
  9. Papayas
  10. Kiwi
  11. Eggplant
  12. Honeydew Melon
  13. Grapefruit
  14. Cantaloupe
  15. Cauliflower

For a downloadable version of the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15, check out the EWG website.

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EWG’s Updated Guide to Healthy Cleaning

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. They recently updated the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, a database of more than 2,700 cleaners that can be found on their website. It includes the following product categories :

  • 288 Air Fresheners
  • 507 All Purpose
  • 227 Bathroom
  • 368 Dishwashing
  • 166 Floor Care
  • 155 Furniture
  • 93 Kitchen
  • 817 Laundry
  • 82 Other

The recent update included more than 400 additional products from 85 companies. The EWG states the following:

  • Almost three-fourths of common cleaners contain ingredients that may have worrisome effects on respiratory health.
  • More than one-fourth received scores indicating moderate to high health concerns because they contain ingredients or possible impurities that have been linked to increased cancer risk.
  • One-fifth of products got scores indicating moderate to high health concern because they have ingredients associated with developmental, endocrine or reproductive harm.
  • Almost half of the products were rated “poor” on disclosure because their ingredients are not adequately listed on product labels and company websites.

The database has an interesting and informative layout. Products are graded (A,B,C,D, and F) and their principle ingredients are graded as well, a layout that teaches consumers which additives are dangerous to the body or the environment and why.

Surprisingly, many well-known “green” labels earned Fs. For example, Whole Foods 365 Brand Cleaners run the gamut with individual products earning As, Bs, Cs, Ds, and Fs.

The database lists 7 Trader Joe’s products. One earned a B, 3 earned a D, and 3 earned an F.

There are 35 Seventh Generation products listed. Although only one earned an F, with 12 Ds, 37% are ranked D and below.

So line up your cleaning products and look them up. You may be in for some surprises. You may decide it’s time to simplify and use all natural products like vinegar, baking soda, and lemons to clean your home. Check out the article below to learn more.

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