According to an article published in the NYT, Methyl iodide will be approved by California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) for use all over the state which produces 90% of the strawberries consumed in the US. Currently, this new fumigant is not on the list of pesticides approved for agricultural use. Methyl iodide has been approved nationally, rejected by New York, and is now up for review in California.
“This is without question one of the most toxic chemicals on earth,” said John Froines, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles. “You don’t register a chemical when you don’t have the necessary information you need.”
But this is just one of the many pesticides being used today. In a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group over 30 different pesticides were found on strawberries alone.
So what can you do? Well for starters don’t buy conventional fresh or frozen strawberries. Remember that no matter where you live there’s a good chance those are California berries in your local supermarket…and in your jam, berry yogurt, smoothies, etc.
Even people that live internationally are eating California strawberries and products made with them. So do your body a favor and choose Organic. Remember that strawberries absorb over 80% of the pesticides used.
If you’re still thinking that you don’t want to buy organic then you may be interested in this site as it lists all the fruits and veggies in order of safest by pesticide absorption ratings. So that way you can make an informed choice on what produce you should only buy organic and which ones you can let slide. And in case you were wondering what all the fuss about pesticides is, here is a little list of what they have been shown to cause:
- Cancer
- Fertility problems
- Brain tumors
- Childhood leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Birth defects
- Irritation to skin and eyes
- Hormone or endocrine system problems
- Nervous system damage
Those, especially at risk from pesticides, are children, whose bodies are still developing, along with pregnant women, whose unborn children are extremely susceptible to damage.
Play it safe – shop and or grow Organic!
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/us/20strawberries.html
http://www.ecofactory.com/community/blogs/aidyn-blair/toxic-strawberries-one-dirty-dozen
Thanx for info. Amazed at what goverments all over the world permit in terms of pesticides and fungicides. The only thing to do is to keep people informed and ensure that they stop buying non organic produce.