You may be ingesting 67 pesticides if you’re eating non-organic celery , according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group. The group suggests limiting consumption of pesticides by purchasing organic for the 12 fruits and vegetables.

Of the 12 most contaminated foods, 7 are fruits: peaches, strawberries, apples, domestic blueberries, nectarines, cherries and imported grapes.

Celery, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale, collard greens and potatoes are the vegetables most likely to retain pesticide contamination:

1.   Celery

2.   Peaches

3.   Strawberries

4.   Apples

5.   Domestic blueberries

6.   Nectarines

7.   Sweet bell peppers

8.   Spinach, kale and collard greens

9.   Cherries

10.  Potatoes

11.  Imported grapes

12.  Lettuce

A pesticide is a mixture of chemical substances used on farms to destroy or prevent pests, diseases and weeds from affecting crops. Although some pesticides are found on the surface of foods, other pesticides may be taken up through the roots and into the plant and cannot be removed.

Peeling fruits, especially peaches, pears and apples, will help remove residues. Be sure to keep the peelings out of the compost. Some pesticides permeate the skin of the fruit, so this method does not guarantee residual free produce in all cases.

The government says that consuming pesticides in low amounts doesn’t harm you, but some studies show an association between pesticides and health problems such as cancer, attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder and nervous system disorders and say exposure could weaken immune systems.

When you eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, you’ll be exposed to an average of 10 pesticides a day.

Strawberries and domestic blueberries each had 13 pesticides detected on a single sample. Peaches and apples were second, with 9 pesticides on one sample.

Peaches had been treated with more pesticides than any other produce, registering combinations of up to 67 different chemicals. Strawberries were next, with 53 pesticides and apples with 47.

Cherries from the US are three times more contaminated than their imported counterparts, which are among the cleanest fruits and vegetables analyzed. Cherries contain a compound known as ellagic acid which counteracts carcinogens, so it’s worthwhile to seek out a source of imported cherries if you live in the US or Canada.

A single celery was contaminated with 13 different chemicals, followed by kale (10), and collard greens, domestic green beans, spinach and lettuce (9).

Health experts agree that when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list, choose organic if it’s available. There have been some very good studies that shows people who eat mostly organic food reduce 95 percent of pesticides [in their body] in two weeks,

The vegetables least likely to test positive for pesticides are onions, sweet corn, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant and sweet potatoes.

The fruits least likely to test positive for pesticide residues are avocados, pineapples, mangoes, kiwi, domestic cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit and honeydew.

Another option to avoid pesticides is organic gardening. If you have a bit of a green thumb or would like to develop one, a garden may be worth giving a try.

This way you know exactly how your food was grown and are guaranteed that there are no pesticides. Growing your own garden also decreases your carbon footprint.

From apples and celery to strawberries and spinach, pick a few of your favorites from the list. Make a big difference in your family’s pesticide exposure with a small organic garden.

Want  to know more  about pesticides? Then, post your question below.

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Yours truly, Polly – Organic Gardener