When Melissa Furlong, an environmental health researcher at the University of Arizona, asks people whether they use pesticides, they often say no. Many think of the chemicals as serious treatments for home infestations or on farms.
But people often come into contact with pesticides in everyday life without realizing it. Household bug sprays, lawn treatments and flea and tick repellents for pets can all be sources of exposure. So can unwashed produce. Spinach, kale, strawberries and grapes top the list of produce most contaminated with pesticides, according to a report released Tuesday by the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization.
Scientists still don’t know what amount of pesticide exposure, if any, could be considered safe, Dr. Furlong said, noting that “it took 70 years of research on lead before we figured out there’s no safe exposure.” But many of these chemicals have been linked to serious health issues in observational studies.
That doesn’t mean you need to toss everything in your produce drawer or let pests infest your home. Rather, experts say, you may want to look for ways to minimize your exposures as researchers continue to study the issue.
“It’s likely not possible to reduce your exposure to every single chemical under the sun just because they’re in so many different things,” said Stephanie Eick, an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist at Emory University. The question, she said, is “how can you make smart choices to reduce exposure where it’s practical?”
Potential Health Risks
Pesticides that are commonly used in the United States and that have been associated with health risks include neonicotinoids, used for crops, gardens, golf courses and pet treatments; organophosphates and used against agricultural and household pests; andpyrethroids, used as commercial and household insecticides. Some scientists are also increasingly concerned about the health risks of pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” (Glyphosate and atrazine, two popular herbicides, have also been associated with health harms.)
The potential health risks vary depending on the pesticide and the level of exposure. Broadly, pesticides have been associated with neurodevelopmental effects in children and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease in adults. Studies have reported some evidence of links between pesticide exposure and an increased risk of fertility issues, breast cancer and diabetes.
Some research, mostly in those who live near agricultural areas, also shows that people who are exposed to certain pesticides during pregnancy are more likely to develop complications, such as gestational diabetes, and to experience miscarriages or stillbirths. Children exposed in utero are also at increased risk of childhood cancers and are more likely to have lower Apgar scores, a metric that is correlated with long-term health.
Some of these studies have examined the general population, where exposure most likely comes from food, while others focus on people thought to be at increased risk, such as farmers. Experts say it’s important to note that the existing research largely only shows links between pesticide exposures and long-term health risks, not cause and effect.
What You Can Do
Though the amount of pesticide residue from individual foods and home products is likely low, some experts recommend trying to reduce exposures in ways that feel practical in your everyday life.
Clean your produce thoroughly.
Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, said “a quick pass through the kitchen sink” was not enough to thoroughly clean produce. She suggested soaking produce in two cups of water mixed with about a teaspoon of baking soda, which can remove a majority of pesticide residue.
One study found that a baking soda solution took 12 to 15 minutes to completely remove pesticide residues from apples.
If you want to take additional steps, the Environmental Working Group also suggests taking fruits and vegetables out of the water instead of pouring it out. This lets any particles settle at the bottom, rather than splashing back over the produce. Then, wash your food again under running water.
The evidence is mixed on how effective this is, because not all residues can be removed by washing. Research has found that pesticides can penetrate an apple’s peel, for example.
Change up how (and what) you cook.
Certain kinds of fruits and vegetables, such as leafy greens, might have higher pesticide levels, said Peng Gao, an assistant professor of environmental health at Harvard. To help minimize exposure, discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables, which may have higher levels of pesticides, and consider diversifying your diet to avoid eating too much of the same produce.
Dr. Gao also recommended trying different cooking techniques. Some research suggests that boiling, blanching or stir-frying vegetables can help reduce pesticide residue more than leaving them uncooked.
If possible, eat organic fruits and vegetables, which may not be free of any pesticides but tend to have lower levels of potentially harmful chemicals. Frozen organic produce can be a cheaper alternative.
Look for home and lawn alternatives.
If you have pests, opt for bait traps, glue traps, fly traps or solid pesticides instead of sprays. When possible, avoid insecticides and herbicides that contain potentially concerning ingredients, including beta-cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, malathion, permethrin, bifenthrin, acephate and bensulide.
Instead of using these types of chemicals at home, Dr. Furlong said she aims to be pesticide-free. For instance, she weeds her garden manually. There are also lawn and gardenproducts that contain organic pesticides, which can be less toxic than traditional alternatives.
Keep your home clean.
Replace HVAC filters every three months, dust weekly with a damp cloth, use HEPA air filters, which are efficient at removing airborne particles, in rooms where you spend a lot of time. Regularly vacuum with a HEPA filter. If you live near agricultural areas, consider taking your shoes off before coming inside, to avoid tracking in dirt or dust that can contain pesticides. Keep toys inside and frequently clean outdoor toys. Wash your hands often, especially before making or eating food.
While there are ways to minimize your contact with pesticides, experts said, policy change is needed in order to make a more meaningful dent in our exposures.
“It’s not reasonable to expect any individual person to be able to contro,” Dr. Furlong said. “We need a revamp of the entire regulatory framework.”
The post How to Reduce Your Exposure to Pesticides appeared first on New York Times.
