Reduce Pesticides by Avoiding These Three Crops

The easiest way to reduce the overwhelming amount of pesticides in the environment is to avoid buying the crops that use them, or buy their organic counter part. When you think of Pesticides you probably don't think of health food, and you probably don't think of clothing. But two of the three top crops that use the most pesticides might surprise you.

Here are three worst offenders in pesticide use. Avoid them or buy them organic, and you can have a big impact on the amount of chemicals in the environment.

CORN
The "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is caused by depleted levels of oxygen. And that is a result of the large amount of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemicals that run down the Mississippi River and empty into the Gulf, a lot of which comes from corn production. If you want to make a difference, buy organic corn.

SOY
Soy has popped up everywhere and seems to be in everything. And with more people going vegetarian or vegan, it seems to be a great health alternative for protein. However, this crop is heavily sprayed and you should be buying it organic, especially if you are consuming it on a daily basis.

COTTON
Cotton is considered the world's 'dirtiest' crop due to its heavy use of insecticides, the most hazardous pesticide to human and animal health. Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land yet uses 16% of the world's insecticides, more than any other single major crop. (Organic Trade Association). You might not being eating cotton, but you certainly are wearing it! An increase in Organic Cotton has been driven by the apparel industry and the addition of 100% organic cotton clothing options as well as the blending of organic cotton with conventional cotton in clothing.

As a consumer you have complete control over what you buy and bring into your house. Buy making informed choices you can help increase the amount of organic crops produced and decrease the number of pesticides and other chemicals in our environment.

Alexandra Gnoske is the Owner of RECYCLE ME and Author/Illustrator of "Loui Save the Earth."