{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000094","name":"Pesticide Residue on Fresh Produce (EWG Dirty Dozen / Clean Fifteen)","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"produce","tags":["pesticide residue","Dirty Dozen","Clean Fifteen","EWG","organic","wash","produce"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Pesticide residues on conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. EWG Dirty Dozen (highest residue): strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell peppers, cherries, peaches, pears, celery, tomatoes. USDA PDP: 70% of conventional produce has detectable pesticide residues. Organic produce has 90% lower residue levels. Washing reduces surface residues 50-80% but cannot remove systemic pesticides absorbed into plant tissue.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.711,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"children, pregnant women","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Average 3-4 different pesticide residues per conventional produce sample","Children's higher produce per body weight = higher per-kg exposure","Surface washing ineffective for systemic pesticides absorbed into tissue"],"exposure_routes":"Oral via daily produce consumption"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Daily consumption of conventional produce with residues","Children: higher per-body-weight produce consumption","Multiple pesticide residues on single produce item (average 3-4 per sample)","Washing removes surface but not systemic pesticides"],"notes":"USDA PDP 2022: 99% of produce below EPA tolerance. EWG: strawberries averaged 8 different pesticides per sample. Organic produce averages 90% lower residue. Peeling removes surface residue but also removes fiber and nutrients. Running water washing for 30+ seconds removes 50-80% of surface residues."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Wash all produce under running water for 30+ seconds. Buy organic for EWG Dirty Dozen crops. Peel when practical (removes surface residues). Diversity of sources reduces cumulative single-pesticide exposure.","safer_alternatives":["USDA Organic produce for Dirty Dozen crops","EWG Clean Fifteen conventional crops (lowest residue)","Home garden with no pesticide application","Baking soda wash (1 tsp per 2 cups water, 12-15 min soak — most effective wash method)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"No testing data or regulatory oversight for this food category","meaning":"Potential contaminant exposure without monitoring.","action":"Choose tested/certified alternatives when available."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"USDA Organic or third-party tested","meaning":"Lower contaminant levels verified.","verification":"Check for USDA Organic seal or third-party testing results."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Has this product been tested for the contaminants relevant to its category?","why_it_matters":"Testing provides assurance beyond regulatory minimums.","good_answer":"Third-party tested with published results.","bad_answer":"No testing beyond regulatory minimum."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"USDA Organic produce for Dirty Dozen crops","notes":"Alternative"},{"name":"EWG Clean Fifteen conventional crops","notes":"lowest residue"},{"name":"Home garden with no pesticide application","notes":"Alternative"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA pesticide tolerances (40 CFR 180)","citation":"40 CFR 180","requirements":"Risk-based tolerances for each pesticide/crop combination. USDA PDP monitors compliance.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA / USDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Regular food waste.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"days"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","name":"Glyphosate","role":"herbicide_residue","concentration_pct":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000017","name":"Chlorpyrifos","role":"insecticide_residue","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000001","compound_name":null,"role":"herbicide_residue","typical_concentration":"trace"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000017","compound_name":null,"role":"insecticide_residue","typical_concentration":"trace"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["pesticide residue on fresh produce (ewg dirty dozen / clean fifteen)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Rubbermaid","manufacturer":"Newell Brands","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Food storage and kitchen brand"},{"brand":"Pyrex","manufacturer":"Corning","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Glass food storage and bakeware"},{"brand":"OXO","manufacturer":"Helen of Troy","market_position":"premium","notable":"Kitchen tools and storage"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA pesticide tolerances (40 CFR 180)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"40 CFR 180","id":"src_bdb3cb73"},{"id":"src_001","type":"epa","title":"Glyphosate Interim Registration Review Decision Case Number 0178","url":"https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate","accessed":"2025-01-13","year":2020,"notes":"EPA registration review concluding 'not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000001"},{"id":"src_002","type":"iarc","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 112: Glyphosate","publication":"IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans","year":2015,"url":"https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono112.pdf","accessed":"2025-01-13","notes":"IARC classification: Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans)","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000001"},{"id":"epa_chlorpyrifos_2021","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Chlorpyrifos — Revocation of Food Tolerances","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000017"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:25:39.410Z"}}