Here is a list of the commercial fruits and vegtables that use the most herbicides/fungicides/pesticides, from Vegetarian Times June 2001.
APPLES May contain traces of methyl parathion, an endocrine disruptor and organophosphate insecticide (OP). OPs are a class of potent neurotoxins, which means they can damage the nervous system and the brain. Apples may contain the OPs chlorpyrifos and azinphos-methyl.
BELL PEPPERS Can contain the OPs methamidophos and acephate. Also detected: endocrine disruptors oxamyl and dicofol.
CUCUMBERS May contain dieldrin (a carcinogenic insecticide) and methamidophos. Also detected: chlordane, a neurotoxin and suspected carcinogen that may cause gastrointestinal and fertility problems.
GREEN BEANS Can contain the OPs acephate, methamidophos and dimethoate, and endosulphan, an endocrine disrupting insecticide.
PEACHES Contain high residues of iprodione (a probable human carcinogen) and the OPs azinphosmethyl and methyl parathion.
PEARS May contain the OPs methyl parathion and azinphosmethyl.
SPINACH Contains permethrin, a possible human carcinogen, and the OP dimethoate. Also found: DDT, a carcinogen that was banned decades ago but still lingers in the soil and can increase the risk of birth defects.
STRAWBERRIES The enhanced color of this fruit comes from the fungicide captan, a probable carcinogen. They may also contain methyl bromide, a soil fumigant associated with neurotoxicity and birth defects.
TOMATOES Two common OPs, methamdiphos and clorpyrifos, have been found on this fruit.
WINTER SQUASH Contains dieldrin and the carcinogen heptachlor.
One that is not on the list is "bananas." Bananas are not a source of pesticides when you ingest them, but that is because they have a thick skin. However, bananas are one of the top environmental polluters, because so many toxic chemicals are used in the growing process (even though they don't get inside the fruit itself). Banana plantation workers are also exposed to gross amounts of these chemicals while working.
