Should You Be Concerned About Natural Pesticides?

by Sally Eckels

As we grow increasingly knowledgeable of the presence of carcinogens and mutagens found in the foods we eat, some have chosen to heed the call of activists by avoiding any foods containing pesticides. However, these organic products that appear more and more on consumers’ grocery lists may be free of man-made pesticides but still contain many natural pesticides, which can potentially contain toxic chemicals as well. According to scientists, 99.99% of the pesticides we consume are natural and not necessarily good for us. Plants produce toxins to defend themselves against fungi, insects, and animal predators. These naturally produced toxins may appear at higher levels in crops that are not treated with agrochemicals.

These facts are not intended to contradict the widely agreed upon idea that fruits and vegetables make us healthier. The bottom line is that the dose determines the poison. And, according to one study, 57% of naturally occurring pesticides have been evaluated as positive. In fact, many of these carcinogenic chemicals are being studied for their ability to battle cancer. But, remember that “natural” doesn’t always mean safe. For example, arsenic, cocaine, and petroleum are all natural, but still poisonous to our bodies if we eat them.