That Apple Looks Poisonous

A very interesting article came out today in USA Today about pesticide contaminated produce. It wasn't interesting because it was new news to me, but rather because of its mainstream availability. It really does seem that the world is slowly starting to realize the truth and see what the FDA, chemical corporations, and other government lobbyist haven't wanted us to see for decades. Just yesterday an article was released about the new updates to the carcinogenic list, which added formaldehyde (found in nail polish, pressed wood, etc.) and styrene (found in plastic cups, showers, baths, etc.). The wonderful thing about that article was that the list had been ready to be updated for 4 years now; however the agency responsible for the findings were blocked from releasing it for bullshit political reasons. The chemical companies lobbied against its release, threw all kinds of road blocks preventing its unveiling to the unknowing, too trusting public and then had the nerve to claim that the list took 4 years to come out because there was some sort of scientific discrepancies that could overturn the findings...again...bullshit.
I fill with such anger over these irresponsible giant corporations that are knowingly pumping poisonous products out into the public, all the while telling us that they are safe for personal use and for our children. I really don't know how these people sleep at night. Is all the money really worth the slow genocide they are committing? And why are they not being charged with genocide? Oh yea, because their shady business is padding the pockets of the people who could bring them to justice.
The older I get the more I realize how true the cliché 'Money is the root of all evil' is. This egotistical power struggle has lead us directly to the mass produced world we now live in that is fraught with poison and cut corners. The only true way to avoid this bombardment of toxic neurological chemicals is to grow your own food organically, buy only organic, and become an informed consumer on all products you bring into your home. The government is not going to save us, we must save ourselves from them.

Sorry about that rant; I get so pissed at myself for blindly believing all the lies I have been told about health and I want to save as many people as possible from making those same mistakes and ending up sick like me. Back to the original article...! It has a wonderful Dirty Dozen List and The Clean 15 that you can refer to when grocery shopping. I hope you find it helpful!
Apples top most pesticide-contaminated list
By Janice Lloyd, USA TODAY

Apples are at the top of the list of produce most contaminated with pesticides in a report published today by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a public health advocacy group.
Even after the fruits were washed and peeled, apples were found to have a high amount of pesticide residue. Even after the fruits were washed and peeled, apples were found to have a high amount of pesticide residue.

Its seventh annual report analyzed government data on 53 fruits and vegetables, identifying which have the most and least pesticides after washing and peeling. For produce found to be highest in pesticides, the group recommends buying organic. Apples moved up three spots from last year, replacing celery at the top of the most-contaminated list; 92% of apples contained two or more pesticides.

"We think what's happening to apples is more pesticides and fungicides are being applied after the harvest so the fruit can have a longer shelf life," says EWG analyst Sonya Lunder. "Pesticides might be in small amounts, but we don't know what the subtle, long-term effects of many of these pesticides are yet."

The worst offenders also include strawberries (No. 3) and imported grapes (No. 7). Onions top the "clean" list, found to be lowest in pesticides. By choosing five servings of fruit and vegetables a day from the clean list, most people can lower the volume of pesticides they consume daily by 92%, the report says.
"Consumers don't want pesticides on their foods," says EWG president Ken Cook. "We eat plenty of apples in our house, but we buy organic when we can."

Rankings reflect the amounts of chemicals present on food when it is eaten. Most samples were washed and peeled before testing. Washing with a "produce wash" is unlikely to help remove pesticides because they're taken up by the entire plant and reside on more than just the skin, the report says. For shoppers who cannot afford organic food, which often is more expensive, Cook says the lists offer alternatives. Can't find organic apples? Buy pineapples, the top fruit on the clean list, or avocados or mangoes.
Fewer than 10% of pineapple, mango and avocado samples showed pesticides. For vegetables, asparagus, corn and onions had no detectable residue on 90% or more of samples.
Pesticides are known to be toxic to the nervous system, cause cancer, disrupt hormones and cause brain damage in children. Pregnant women are advised to avoid foods containing pesticides.
A study by Harvard School of Public Health found children exposed to pesticides had a higher risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Lunder says pesticides were measured in six different ways to calculate overall scores:
•Percentage of samples tested with detectable pesticides.
•Percentage of samples with two or more pesticides.
•Average number of pesticides found on a single sample.
•Average amount (level in parts per million) of all pesticides found.
•Maximum number of pesticides found on a single sample.
•Total number of pesticides found on the commodity.
Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables from the "dirty dozen" list would mean you'd get an average of 14 different pesticides. By choosing five from the clean list, you'd consumer fewer than two pesticides.
"With the increased emphasis on eating more fruits and vegetables, we need to be vigilant about the food we're producing and serving," Lunder says.
The Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

The Clean 15
1. Onions
2. Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms