The Environmental Working group, a nonprofit focused on public health has reorganized a list of fruits and vegetables which contains pesticides. This list is called as "Dirty Dozen".

A new report from the Environmental Working Group suggests that people, who are looking for nutritious fruits and vegetables, might be loaded with pesticide residues. You may be ingesting 67 pesticides with non-organic celery if you are eating it today according to a new report. Most alarming fruits and vegetables are called as the "Dirty Dozen”, which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving. These foods have soft skin and so they are believed to be most susceptible and tend to absorb more pesticides. Recently, a non-profit environmental group based in Washington, D.C., has updated its list of the produce items that are heaviest in pesticide residues and also the "cleanest".

The group suggests limiting utilization of pesticides by buying organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables given below. The Environmental Working Group's Amy Rosenthal said, “It is critical that people know what they are consuming. The list is based on pesticide tests conducted after the produce was washed with USDA high-power pressure water system. The numbers reflect the closest thing to what consumers are buying at the store." Also, he added that “You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent by buying the organic version of the Dirty Dozen.”

The Dirty Dozen 12 fruits and vegetables:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Cherries
7. Domestic blueberries
8. Nectarines
9. Imported grapes
10. Spinach, kale and collard greens
11. Lettuce
12. Potatoes

All non-organic fruits and vegetables have not a high pesticide level. Some non-organic produce has strong outer layer that supplies a protection against pesticide contamination. Some non-organic fruits and vegetables are also found by the group named as "Clean 15" which contain little to no pesticides. A pesticide is a mixture of chemical substances which are used on farms to destroy or prevent pests, diseases and weeds from affecting crops.

The Clean 15

1. Kiwi fruit
2. Cabbage
3. Eggplant
4. Cantaloupe
5. Watermelon
6. Grapefruit
7. Onions
8. Avocados
9. Sweet corn
10. Pineapples
11. Sweet potatoes
12. Sweet onions
13. Mango
14. Sweet peas
15. Asparagus

According to government, consumption of pesticides in low amounts does not harm you but some studies have shown that pesticides are associated with some health problems such as cancer, attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and nervous system disorders. Also, exposure to such can cause weakening of immune systems.

The Dirty dozen 12 Fruits and Vegetables Most Likely to Contain Pesticides ABC News video from youtube:

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