Pesticide exposures can produce two distinct types of adverse health effects as acute (shortterm) effects and chronic (long-term) effects. The severity of adverse health effects are determined by following factors: the dose, the route of exposure, an individual?s genetic vulnerability, age at the time of exposure and general health condition, the length of exposure, environmental factors and intakes with others chemicals through other factors.

Chronic Impacts

Possible symptoms of long term pesticide exposure are listed as follows

• Increased risk of cancer

• Neurological impairment

• Development effects

• Reproductive effects

• Organ damage

• Intrusion with the human hormone system

Acute Impact

It can happen in various situations, by consuming food containing pesticide residue, including the accidental ingestion in the home, garden, farm or forest.

According to the Environmental Working Group choosing to buy certain organic food can significantly lower residue exposure by as much as about 90%. The group came up with a list of fruits and vegetable those are recommended to avoid as they are known to contain high levels of pesticide residues. These foods, referred to as the ?Dirty Dozen? readily absorb pesticides and retain them so even if washed, they will still have noticeable levels of residues. The ability of a fruit or vegetable to retain or repel pesticides is dependent on its outer shell or protective layer.

Clean Fifteen

papayas, pineapples, sweet peas (Frozen), sweet potatoes, Asparagus, Avocados, Cabbage,

Cantaloupe, corn, eggplant, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, Mango, Mushrooms,onion