Dirty Dozen list 2022

Each year group of environmental professionals published Dirty Dozen list to highlight the  fruits and vegetables that can uplift the level or pesticide in human body which can leads to most dangerous dieses like cancer. Strawberries and spinach remain the two produce items with the highest levels of pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group’s 2022 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

“Everyone should eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, no matter how they’re grown,” said Alexis Temkin, PhD, an ecologist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), in a statement. “But shoppers have the right to know what potentially toxic substances are found on these foods, so they can make the best choices for their families,” Dr. Temkin said.

Cherries came in eighth this year on the list of the 12 most contaminated foods, with peaches, pears, celery and tomatoes rounding out the list. But don’t stop eating these foods, which are full of the vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants needed to battle chronic disease, experts say. “If the things you love to eat are on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list, we recommend buying organic versions when you can,” said Alexis Temkin, a toxicologist at the EWG with expertise in toxic chemicals and pesticides.

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ 2022 list

• strawberries
• spinach
• kale, collard and mustard greens
• nectarines
• apples
• grapes
• bell and hot peppers
• cherries
• peaches
• pears
• celery
• tomato

Consumers can also consult EWG’s “Clean Fifteen” — a list of produce with the least amount of pesticides. Nearly 70% of the fruits and veggies on the list had no detectable pesticide residues, while just under 5% had residues of two or more pesticides, the report said. Instead of cutting certain fruits and vegetables out of your diet, eat organic when you can and consider buying fruits and vegetables that top the EWG’s “Clean Fifteen” list of produce with the least amount of toxic chemicals. This includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, onions, papaya, sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew melon, kiwi, cabbage, mushrooms, cantaloupe, mangoes, watermelon, and sweet potatoes.

HEALTH RISKS OF PESTICIDES

The health risks of pesticides vary depending on the type, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some can impact the brain and nervous system, leading to cognitive and motor deficits. Others can cause cancer. And there are also some that disrupt normal hormone production, contributing to metabolic disorders and fertility issues.

The pesticide DCPA, classified by the EPA as a possible human carcinogen and banned in 2009 by the European Union, was frequently detected on collards, mustard greens and kale, the EWG report said. A large number of pesticides also affect the endocrine system in developing fetuses, which can interfere with developmental growth, reproduction and metabolism. “Even a brief exposure to pesticides which alter endocrine function can cause permanent effects if the exposure occurs during critical windows of reproductive development,” according to the EPA.