About 70% of the produce Americans purchase in the US has pesticide residue all over it- even after it’s been washed.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) used data from the Department of Agriculture to determine that spinach, strawberries, and kale are among the produce with the most pesticide residue found. The lowest levels of pesticides were found on sweet corn, pineapples, and avocados.
Kale lovers may be shocked to learn that 92% of kale tested turned up at least two or more pesticide residues. One sample contained up to 18 different pesticides.
Almost 60% of kale sampled contained Dacthal, which is a pesticide that’s been banned in Europe and the US calls a “possible human carcinogen,” The Guardian reports.
The health effects from consuming pesticides is largely unknown. But researchers do know that 90% of Americans have levels of pesticides in their urine that can be detected.
“The health risks from pesticide exposure depend on the toxicity of the pesticides, the amount a person is exposed to, and the duration and the route of exposure,” the CDC said.
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