Alarming report: pesticide residues in most fruits and vegetables

A new research report indicates the widespread presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables around the world – a finding that raises growing concern about the long-term health effects of exposure to these chemicals, including cancer and hormonal disorders.

According to the report, published in the Daily Mail, researchers analyzed government and industrial test data of agricultural produce, and identified a group of products known as the “Dirty 12” – fruits and vegetables in which extremely high levels of pesticide residues were found, sometimes of more than one substance.

Grapefruit, grapes and lemon were ranked at the top of the list: in 99% of the grapefruit samples, 90% of the grape samples and 79% of the lemon samples, residues of more than one chemical substance were found. Bananas, sweet peppers, watermelons, beans and hot peppers were also among the most contaminated crops. In contrast, beets were identified as one of the few crops found to be relatively free of multiple residues.

The report revealed no less than 123 different types of chemical residues in the tested samples. Of these substances, 42 were linked in various studies to the development of cancer, and another 21 were identified as those that could disrupt the hormonal system – a disruption that could lead to damage to development, fertility and the reproductive system. In some cases, up to 16 different types of pesticides were found in one sample.

Pesticides are used by modern agriculture to protect crops from insects, fungi and weeds, but their accumulation on food raises concerns about a cumulative effect on the human body. Experts warn that the existing standards often refer to the safety of each substance separately, and do not take into account the “cocktail effect” – an interaction between different substances that can increase toxicity.

The researchers also note that pesticides classified as high risk were also found, including fungicides suspected of harming the activity of the endocrine glands. In addition, tests of bread and other processed foods revealed the widespread presence of pesticide residues, including herbicides that have been linked to cancer and substances defined as toxic growth inhibitors.

Following the findings, health experts call on governments to tighten regulation in the field, reduce the use of dangerous pesticides, ban high-risk substances, and support the transition of farmers to alternative, non-chemical farming methods. At the same time, consumers are advised to prefer organic or local produce as much as possible, as this tends to contain less chemical residues.