Pesticides: Do you know your Dirty DOzen?
Ever heard of the Dirty Dozen? No it’s not the name of a Western movie.
The term pesticide comes from the Latin pestis (plague) and caedere (to kill). It refers to chemical products and agents used to eliminate unwanted living organisms found on plants, including the fruits and vegetables we consume. But what are the effects of pesticides on humans?
Where are they found?
Contrary to what we might imagine, when pesticides are used, they remain in the environment. They persist in the air we breathe, in water, and in soil, sometimes for several generations. These toxic agents travel freely through living organisms such as animals and through natural elements like air and water. Pesticides can therefore be considered almost everywhere around us, and they are even detectable in human blood.
Why so many pesticides?
Their uses are varied. They are applied in agricultural fields for crops and cereals, for weed control, and for the maintenance of public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, gardens, and recreational areas like golf courses. Some households also use them to maintain lawns, gardens, and both indoor and outdoor plants.
The effects of pesticides
These invisible chemical substances, often present in the fruits and vegetables we consume daily without our knowledge, may pose short- and long-term health risks. In addition, the mistrust surrounding pesticides sometimes leads people to reduce their intake of fruits and vegetables, which is itself a harmful consequence.
Potential complications for individuals include hormonal imbalances, such as reduced fertility and disruptions of the reproductive system, as well as altered sexual development. Pesticide exposure may also contribute to immune system weakening and may affect cognitive functions and behavior. Studies suggest that children who chronically consume high doses may face an increased risk of attention deficit disorders, with or without hyperactivity (ADHD). Cancer risks are another concern, with 112 types of pesticides recognized as potentially carcinogenic in the United States.
Environmental complications include pollution of air, water, and soil, along with negative impacts on biodiversity through the elimination of numerous living species. Another issue is the development of dependence on chemical treatments, where plants require increasingly concentrated pesticide formulations over time.
How can the effects of pesticides be minimized?
It is important not to fall into extremes. The dose makes the poison. Despite the presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, the benefits of consuming these foods generally outweigh the risks.
Fortunately, there are ways to identify which foods tend to contain higher or lower levels of pesticide residues. Each year, an American organization publishes a report evaluating pesticide levels in fruits and vegetables based on extensive testing.
The Dirty Dozen
The fruits and vegetables found to contain the highest levels of pesticide residues are listed under the name Dirty Dozen. These foods include strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, and potatoes.
In contrast, the Clean Fifteen represents fruits and vegetables with the lowest levels of pesticide contamination. These foods can generally be consumed with greater confidence, even when grown through conventional agriculture. The list includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, onions, papaya, sweet peas, eggplants, asparagus, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, honeydew melons, and kiwis.
Sources:
- Thrider, E. (2020–2021). Updated Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen (2021). Updated Dirty Dozen & Clean 15.
- Environmental Working Group’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
- “A Multi-Year Monitoring and Dietary Risk Assessment Study” (2025)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Latest Pesticide Residue Report (2024)
