Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Pesticides are designed to kill pests but they can also end up in the places we live, breathe, and eat. Short-term exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, or throat, while some pesticides have also been linked to longer-term health concerns. And it’s not just about what’s on your produce.
It can be on our fruits and vegetables, in bug sprays and sometimes even in the air and dust inside our homes!
The EPA says 75 percent of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product indoors during the past year, and another study it cites suggests up to 80 percent of most people’s pesticide exposure may happen indoors
And when it comes to produce, some fruits and vegetables tend to show higher residues than others.
EWG’s 2026 dirty dozen list puts spinach at the top, followed by kale, collard and mustard greens, strawberries, grapes and peaches.
One simple way to cut down on residue? Try a baking soda soak. Experts suggest mixing two cups of water with a teaspoon of baking soda.
Don’t stop in the kitchen. The EPA says pesticides can build up in indoor air and house dust, too, so if you use them at home, ventilation matters. Opening windows, replacing HVAC filters, and using a Hepa air purifier can help cut down on some of those airborne particles.
And one of the simplest moves of all? Leave your shoes at the door. Pesticides and other contaminants can hitch a ride inside on the bottoms of shoes, then settle into floors, carpets, and house dust.
If you’re trying to cut back on chemical bug sprays at home, there are other options. Experts say things like sealing cracks, fixing leaks, using traps, or trying diatomaceous earth, a powder used to kill common household insects can help control pests without adding more pesticides to your home. You can usually find it at hardware stores, garden centers, or online.
Contributors to this news report include: Cliff Tumetel, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.pesticidereform.org/pesticides-human-health/
https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/24/health/2026-dirty-dozen-pesticide-produce-wellness
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/well/pesticides-health-risks.html
