Protect Your Health From Pesticides
Did you know that most produce contain some type of pesticide? A pesticide is a mixture of substances used to prevent bacteria and destroy insects on fruits and vegetables. Most farmers choose to use pesticides, so that they will have better fruit and vegetables.
The United States Environmental Agency’s laboratory studies show that pesticides can be very harmful to our health. The most common pesticide is organophosphate, which can harm the nervous system. With a few simple tips you can protect your health better from pesticides.
To know more about pesticides and to protect your health here are a few tips:
- Buy organic- Organic produce tends to be a bit pricey, but it is worth it. Organic produce is usually grown without pesticides. When you choose to buy organic produce you won’t be taking as many risks to your health!
- Know which products have higher pesticide- It is important to know which products may contain higher pesticide. A few examples of fruit and vegetables that usually contain higher pesticide are: strawberries, peppers, apples, and grapes.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly- It is important to wash your fruit and vegetables thoroughly to get rid of as much pesticide as possible. Use warm water on fruits and vegetables and wash them as long as you would if you were washing your hands. You can also choose to add a dab of soap while washing them. Another option is buying a commercial produce wash, which will get rid of most pesticides by soaking the fruits and vegetables.
- Shop locally- By choosing to shop locally you support local farmers and know where your food is coming from. Most local farmers will use fewer pesticides on the fruit and vegetables. Plus, when you buy locally the fruit and vegetables will be fresh!
- Grow your own produce- If possible growing your own produce is a great option. When you grow your own produce you won’t have to worry about pesticides in your food. The best part about growing your own produce is that you don’t have to worry about running to the store for more!
With these simple steps you can reduce the pesticide intake for you and your family. You also have a better understanding of what to look for and what to avoid while you are shopping. Don’t forget to encourage your friends to know what to look for while they are shopping for produce too, so that they will know how to better protect themselves from pesticides. When you know how to protect yourself from pesticides you will feel more at ease while eating healthy!
At Millennium Waste, we strive to match the needs of the Quad City residents while providing competitive prices and services that benefit residents and businesses in the community. As the leading Quad Cities waste management company, we provide clean and reliable Quad City garbage collections for area businesses, construction sites and residents. Contact us or call us at (309) 787-2303.
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