Why I Buy Organic Produce
A recent Consumer Reports survey of 1,050 people found that pesticides are a concern for 85 percent of Americans.
"We're exposed to a cocktail of chemicals from our food on a daily basis," says Michael Crupain, M.D., M.P.H., director of Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability Center.
For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are traces of 29 different pesticides in the average American's body”.
“The President’s Cancer Panel of the National Institutes of Health writes that exposure to pesticides has been linked to brain/central nervous system, breast, colon, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, testicular, and stomach cancers, as well as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and soft tissue sarcoma.
Approximately 40 different EPA-registered pesticides that are currently on the market are classified as known, probable, or possible human carcinogens”
“National Research Council report, public health experts articulated their concern that infants and children can be especially vulnerable to the effects of pesticides. 80 In 2012 the American Academy of Pediatrics reiterated that point, based on a growing body of scientific literature that links pesticide exposure to chronic health complications in children, including neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems, birth defects, asthma, and cancer”
Organic produce is expensive and can be hard financially for some to buy all organic.
I would recommend starting slowly buying and prioritizing produce that is on the Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides.
Check out your local farmers market and ask them questions. It can be cheaper to shop organic at the market. Some small farmers might not have the organic certification label as it is an expensive one to get but they are honest and authentic and grow their food without any pesticides.
When it comes to my health, I prioritize my budget towards preventive measures more, and one of them is buying organic.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/natural-health/pesticides/index.htm
