Pesticides are chemicals that prevent insects, weeds, and fungi from damaging crops. Farmers use them to increase the amount of crops they are able to produce.

The United States government tests and regulates pesticides. Testing produce ensures that levels are low enough to not pose a risk to human health.

According to data from 2017, the most commonly used pesticides in the U.S. include:

• glyphosate, which is an herbicide that people use to kill weeds and grasses
• atrazine, which is an herbicide that people use to kill grassy and broadleaf weeds
• metolachlor-S, which is an herbicide effective against grasses
• dichloropropene, which treats the soil before planting to kill roundworms

• 2,4-D, which is an herbicide that people use to kill broadleaf weeds

This article discusses how pesticides may be harmful to humans, and which fruits and vegetables contain the highest amounts of pesticide residue.

Are pesticides harmful ?

Farmer may use pesticides to increase crop yield.

Pesticides can be toxic to humans, but the function of the pesticide determines how harmful they are.

The effect may also depend on the amount and concentration of the pesticide. It can also have different effects depending on whether a person gets it on their skin, swallows it, or inhales it.

There is not much research regarding the possible long-term health risks of pesticide exposure. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that coming into contact with large amounts of pesticides could affect reproduction and potentially be a cause of cancer.

According to the WHO, insecticides are typically more toxic to humans than herbicides.

Exposure to large quantities of a pesticide may cause poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning may appear immediately or after a few hours.

Some symptoms of mild poisoning may include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• nausea
• diarrhea
• insomnia
• irritation of the throat, eyes, skin, or nose

Some symptoms of moderate poisoning may include:

• blurred vision
• confusion
• vomiting
• constriction of the throat
• rapid pulse

Some symptoms of severe poisoning may include:

• chemical burns
• unconsciousness
• an inability to breathe
• excessive phlegm in the airways

If a person is concerned that they have been exposed to large quantities of pesticides, they should call Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222.

How are people exposed to pesticides?

There is pesticide residue in food and water. Pesticides can run off fields or soak through the ground to enter watercourses. Spraying crops with pesticides, or using pesticides in the soil, can leave some residue on produce.

Exposure to pesticides is also common in some workplaces and outdoors during crop spraying.

Although people may consume pesticide residue, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a benchmark for safe levels of pesticides in food. If a food product has an unsafe level of pesticides, the EPA can remove it from sale.

The Food Quality Protection Act regulates the use of pesticides in the U.S. This law enforces safety tests for new and current pesticides. Produce checks make sure that pesticide residue is at a level that will not harm infants, children, or adults.