Government promises to rid the nation's food supply of brain-damaging pesticides aren't doing the job, according to the results of a yearlong study that carefully monitored the diets of a group of local children.The peer-reviewed study found that the urine and saliva of children eating a variety of conventional foods from area groceries contained organophosphates, the family of pesticides spawned by the creation of nerve gas agents in World War II.
When the same children ate organic fruits, vegetables and juices, signs of pesticides were not found. After eight to 36 hours of the children switching to organic food, the pesticides were no longer detected.
The study has not yet linked the pesticide levels to specific foods, but other studies have shown peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, strawberries and cherries are among those that most frequently have detectable levels of pesticides. Broccoli, on the other hand, is usually found with lower pesticide levels.
Chuck Benbrook, chief scientist of the Organic Center, a nationwide, nonprofit, food research organization said that the pesticide limits that EPA permits are far, far too high to say they're safe. And,there's been a steady increase in pesticide-contaminated imported foods, which are capturing a growing share of the market." The study found that pesticide levels in urine were higher in the winter months when more produce is imported.
Your best bet is to buy from local farmers that grow organically or minimize their pesticide use.
For more info, go to: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_10066.cfm
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