Introduction
While the wheel has been the best invention of all, some say that pesticides have been man's worst invention for the reasons that while also serving its functions, it also affects its environment, the workers and most of all, its customers. All in the effort of dealing with the pests themselves…
A pesticide is used for one reason only: to get rid of pests whether insects, plants, birds or even microbes that can destroy property, spread disease or are a nuisance.
And the popularity of organically grown foods are on the rise ever since it was found that pesticide residue exists on food leading to health issues.
The effects of using Pesticides
Some of these health effects extend not only to workers and consumers but even innocent close bystanders during manufacture, transport and during or after use.
According to a study by WHO and the UN Environment Programme estimate that each year about 3 million workers are afflicted with pesticide poisoning, of which about 18000 of them die while another report states that almost 25 million workers in developing countries suffer from mild pesticide poisoning leading to several diseases such as cancer, depression, respiratory problems, birth defects among several others.
And thanks to the 'pesticide residue' that remain on fruit and vegetables after they are applied, this has raised safety concerns leading to the rearing of foods the organic way as well as the setting of levels of pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables that are considered safe for human consumption by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
Apart from having ill effects on humans, about 98 % of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides are carried by water, air and soil while not only destroying the species that it was intended for but also non-target species as it moved around by these means. In short, this creates an environmental imbalance in and around the area where the pesticide was sprayed.
Organic Vs Conventional Food
Up until the twentieth century, the 'produce' that was available for consumption (if the word existed then!) did not use pesticides, and in other words, almost all the fruits and vegetables from that era were 'organic' in nature.
In today's form of organic produce, the same practices used earlier during simpler times are followed only keeping the pesticides and herbicides as a last resort just in case any issues arise.
If genetic modification and nanotechnology are applied to fruits and vegetables, then this cannot be called 'organic produce' and thus what is known as organic produce is found only in small grocery stores and the local markets.
List of conventional foods that are pesticide resistant
While the focus remains on only buying organic fruits and vegetables, there are some conventionally prepared produce that is able to resist pesticides grown the non-organic way. These fruits and vegetables are onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, sweet peas, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, sweet potato and Kiwifruit.
One can easily purchase them from anywhere and remember to wash them thoroughly before use.
In Closing
And it's time to run these chemical company owners' over with the best invention that has been around.
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