The Eco Geek

Do fruit and veggie washes really get rid of pesticides?

JENIFFER KLEIN, Edmonton

If you're hoping to wash your pesticide fears away, you're not alone. 2008 study found that six in 10 Canadians worry about chemical residue on their fruits and vegetables. Scientists have found that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancers, but this research primarily examines workplace exposure, such as with farm labourers. When it comes to tucking into a tuber or grazing on grapes, however, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society, says consumers worry needlessly. "Over 80 per cent of fruits and vegetables tested contain no trace of pesticides," notes the chemist and author of An Apple a Day: The Myths, Misconceptions and Truths about the Foods We Eat. "And those that do [test positive] have levels below government standards." His advice? Don't bother with the commercial fruit and vegetable wash and use lots of lukewarm water to remove dirt and bacteria. And if you are washing an apple or a potato something we eat the outer skin of or a fruit with a firm, rough surface use a brush. Peeling fruits and vegetables, however, can reduce their nutrient value.

Peeling robs all the goodness and taste in the skin, says Trish Magwood, owner of Toronto's Dish Cooking Studio. Despite this, the Canadian Cancer Society recommends peeling along with washing and/or scrubbing; at any rate, like Mom, they just want you to eat your veggies. A healthy diet that includes a variety of vegetables and fruit can help reduce your risk of developing cancer," says Heather Chappell, Senior Manager, Cancer Control Policy. "The benefits of produce far outweigh the risks posed by pesticide residues." Finally, the idea of buying a product to offset the hazards of something else you've just bought also seems excessive to me, so here's another suggestion: Visit your grocer or a local farmer's market and simply buy pesticide-free organic produce.

Can you recommend an eco-friendly exterior paint?

MARC NGUYEN, MONTREAL

Paint manufacturers like Benjamin Moore have long offered "green" interior paints for Canadians concerned about the impact of toxic chemicals on indoor air quality, but ecofriendly exterior paint is practically non-existent in this country. So, if you don't shop online or live in one of the dozen or so communities where Mississippi-based Mythic Paints or Oregon's YOLO Colorhouse are available, think about using paint reclaimed from half-empty cans and re-processed into a new product. When improperly discarded, oil and alkyd paints can poison drinking water, contaminate soil and air, and poison aquatic life. "The fewer toxic substances we process, use or dispose of, the lower the threat to our health and the environment," says Janelle Witzel, project coordinator of Environmental Defence's Toxic Nation program. In keeping with Witzel's advice, Quebec-based Socièté Laurentide produces recycled exterior paints under the Boomerang label. Boomerang paint is widely available in Quebec and the Maritimes and has just expanded its retail network into Ontario. If Boomerang isn't sold in your province, look for programs like the BC Paint Exchange, which allows consumers to obtain leftover, reusable paints.