Organic Produce Does Lower Pesticides in Kids Feeding children mostly organic produce as opposed to conventionally farmed produce could reduce a child’s pesticide exposure, according to a study. Researchers interviewed families with children 2 to 5 years old. Children who ate at least 75 percent organic produce and juice were classified as organic while those who ate at least 75 percent conventional produce were classified as conventional. The study found that children who ate primarily organic produce and juice had one-sixth the level of pesticide byproducts in their urine compared with children who ate non-organic food. The health risk, if any, posed by such exposure is not known. Researchers noted that this lack of knowledge about the health risks of eating foods treated with pesticides is a real problem. Some people believe that trace elements of pesticides in the diet are dangerous, while others say there is no evidence to prove this assumption. However, most health experts say that the advantages of fruits and vegetables in the diet are likely to far outweigh any adverse effects from pesticides. Additionally, plants produce pesticides in their leaves for protection, so it is impossible to eliminate all pesticide exposure when eating fruits and vegetables, according to experts. Environmental Health Perspectives March 2003;111(3):377-82 Environmental Health Perspectives, 2/06 Pesticide Action Network North America Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.