6 ways to reduce your exposure to pesticides

Pesticides are used in intensive agriculture to protect crops from parasites, in order to obtain higher yields. In this way, the quality is to the detriment of the quantity. The fruits and vegetables are not affected by pests, but they remain on chemicals potentially harmful to health. Studies of long-term damage caused by exposure to pesticides are still in progress, but recently the alarming news that relates to any of the products Monsanto.


The use of pesticides is common even among those who grow their own vegetables at home. Who personally handles these substances is certainly a risk of direct contact with them. Those particularly susceptible may poorly tolerate the use of pesticides, developing respiratory problems such as asthma.

Completely avoid exposure to pesticides is almost impossible. They remain as residues in soil, water, air, the fruit and vegetables we buy regularly. With a few tricks it is not possible to reduce our exposure to pesticides. We try to give you some tips applicable in everyday life, from the time that ye go to the grocery store when you go home.

1. Prefer organic fruits and vegetables
The best way to ensure that pesticides do not end up right in your own plate, is to buy fruit and vegetables from organic or biodynamic. Both guarantee to give to pesticides in the cultivation of agricultural products. To save money when making purchases, you can contact a group of fair trade (the list is available here), buy directly from the manufacturers or from one of the many farmers' markets, now present in every part of Italy. Locate the nearest helping with this map.

2. Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating
Fruit, but also vegetables, appears bright and shining in the departments of the supermarket, but that does not mean that it is clean. May in fact be in contact with chemical fertilizers present in the irrigation water or soil. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables under running water. It may help to put it to soak in a bowl, add a teaspoon of baking soda and then rinse well. For some vegetables, such as carrots, it is preferable to use a brush to remove debris at best. Remember to wash the fruits and vegetables that you peel and then to wash your hands before proceeding. (See also our guide to proper cleaning of food)

3. Know which are the most contaminated vegetable
There are fruits and vegetables that can be more easily contaminated by pesticides. To protect their health, it would be better to choose organic or put an even stronger focus for washing. Among the products that have been detected more pesticide residues have strawberries, peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, apples, apricots, cucumbers, pears and potatoes. Among the least contaminated include: onions, cauliflower, eggplant, bananas, asparagus, broccoli, cantaloupe, kiwi.

4. Grow their own vegetables
Whether your home is surrounded by a beautiful garden, whether you have only a balcony, cultivate your garden staff is the best choice in terms of safety and economy. If you choose perennial crops, such as strawberries or asparagus, the effort will be minimal. After collecting the first fruits, you will be thrilled to your garden, accorgendovi that fruits and vegetables grown organically from you it tastes better than bought at the supermarket. You will find that growing is not only beautiful, but also therapeutic. If you fear that you do not have a green thumb, our advice is to start from aromatic plants. They will give you great satisfaction.

5. Without pesticides ...
You will not need to use harmful pesticides to take care of your garden, if you follow our advice. See for example our guide to repel insects and our advice against garden pests. Whether you cultivate the balcony, whether you have a real garden, do not forget that you can easily create your own natural fertilizer through composting. To make a compost do-it-yourself you can follow our instructions. Even the fallen leaves that gather in the garden can become a part of your compost. That is also our advice to make pesticides and organic fertilizers do-it-yourself.

6. Take off your shoes
To remove their shoes before entering the house to put on his slippers is one of the first rules of politeness that we are taught as children. In order to keep pests out of our homes, including pesticides, it is good that this good habit extends not only to the whole family, but also to your guests. You can try to make some beautiful slippers do-it-yourself recycling of old sweaters. Remember to remove your shoes before entering the house is a valid rule and also useful for those suffering from allergies.