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Pesticides   

Overview | Recommendations

Alternative names:

Pesticides and food

Definition:

Pesticides are substances which protect plants against molds, fungi, and insects; therefore decreasing the percent of crop loss for harvest and potential illness. This helps control shortages, higher prices, income loss, and prevents unappealing blemishes.

Most pesticides are produced by plants naturally to ward off their predators. The amount of man-made pesticides applied and their residue allowed to remain on products at market are regulated and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Overall, most experts agree the U.S. has a safe food supply. Allowed pesticides are very low on the list of risks hazardous to health. Large scale studies suggest that pesticide residues are unlikely to be an important risk factor for cancer to the general public. Major risk factors include; smoking alcohol consumption, asbestos, several occupational chemicals, hormonal, and dietary imbalances.

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