Pesticides in fruit: Mere washing falls short, say scientists

Pesticides are frequently used to protect crops from pests, but their presence in fruits is not without health consequences. So, what can we do to eliminate them?

Pesticides can pose a severe threat to health. Their presence in fruits can lead to poisoning, manifesting as nausea, stomach pains, and headaches. Long-term exposure to pesticides can result in more severe health issues, such as hormonal disorders, nerve damage, or even cancer.

Pesticides, which play a crucial role in plant protection and significantly impact the food economy, can threaten human health if ingested unknowingly. Numerous studies have confirmed that pesticides pose a risk to our well-being. In "Nano Letters," Chinese scientists noted that "protecting human health, therefore, demands sensitive analytical methods to identify even trace levels of potentially harmful substances."

It was once believed that thorough washing removed pesticides from fruits. New reports indicate otherwise. Scientists stress that merely washing fruits is not sufficient to eliminate all pesticides. Studies have demonstrated that harmful substances remain on the surface of fruits or vegetables even after thorough washing.

Scientists developed an innovative imaging method to detect pesticide contamination at very low levels. Initial tests using this method have shown that food safety practices, particularly concerning fruits, may be inadequate. Researchers examined how pesticides are distributed using apples as an example. They found that even after washing, pesticides remained just under the skin, confirming their ability to penetrate the outer layer of the flesh. These findings were reported in "Nano Letters."

According to the researchers, these tests suggest that merely washing fruits and vegetables is not sufficient to prevent pesticide consumption. They recommend peeling purchased fruits for greater safety.