ed. As an aide to consumers, the National Resources Defense Council has summaries containing just the chemical classes of pesticides. (A classified list of pesticides, in which each major class of pesticides is subdivided into chemical classes.) But is it the consumer’s responsibility to research what the health-based standard whichever crop is, before putting them in their mouths? Well according to the 1958 bill, the Delaney Clause, yes it was. Growers had no obligation to report the levels of pesticide residues left on crops, to the consumer. According to the 1996 bill, The Food Quality Protection Act, the EPA must prepare an annual list of pesticides that fail to meet the “zero risk” standard. Additionally, they must supply grocery stores with a report of crops in which these pesticides were used and display this information to consumers. The New York Times advised to peel your produce or buy organically grown fruits and vegetables. Some scientist advice only to eat organically grown fruit while other scientist advises not to fear produce. What is a consumer to do? “Every day, scientists learn more about the health threats posed by pesticides.” (Reigart, Line 9) The concern at most, is with the health factors that pesticides may impose in our internal systems. For instance, a child’s immune system develops at a rapid rate, in comparison to an adult, therefore a child’s exposure to pesticides would be far greater. “It is now well established that relatively low low-level exposures to toxic chemicals, occurring at critical stages of development, can cause permanent damage…the results of these injuries may range from poor school performance and behavior to alteration of the reproductive organs.” (Reigart, Line 40) With the passing of The Food Quality Protection Act, carcinogenic pesticides will no longer be utilized in the agricultural industry. Sev...
