Pesticide Eco-Prevarication

Pesticide Eco-Prevarication

FOXNews.com - Views - Junk Science - Hit-and-Run Pesticide News

The term “pesticide contamination” may be effective when it comes to scaring Times readers, but it doesn’t accurately reflect the results of EWG’s report.

No unsafe levels of pesticide residues were detected on the fruits and vegetables. EWG labeled fruits and vegetables as “contaminated” with pesticides if any trace levels of pesticide residues were detected on the fruits and vegetables.

Using today’s sophisticated and sensitive laboratory equipment, it’s possible to measure the minutest levels of pesticide residues. But such low levels aren’t dangerous and are, in fact, typically far below pesticide residue levels permitted on fruits and vegetables by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Significantly, the EWG did not report that any pesticide levels over a 10-year period -- even for one piece of produce -- exceeded EPA safety standards.