Commercial gardeners and farmers are known for their huge operations. We have all seen them on TV and in newspapers at one point or another, usually complete with tractors pulling spraying mechanisms. It is what is being sprayed over the crops that should concern you though. More often than not, the substance being sprayed is a combination of pesticides and other chemicals that are designed to protect the crops. Unfortunately, they will not protect you should you eat them.

Pesticides are effectively chemical poisons that are formulated to kill all sorts of pests, from plants and weeds to molds and fungi to insects and other creatures that may eat the crops. They contain all sorts of compounds depending on the formula and what they are specifically designed to kill. Farmers have used them for years. However, only recently has the question of what they are doing to the individuals that eat the crops arisen.

A lot of research has been performed over the past few years concerning the effects of pesticides on humans that consume the vegetables and fruits they are used on. Although the actual spraying of pesticides can cause problems if they spread to settlements or contaminate the water supply, most people that eat commercially grown fruits and vegetables will have eaten some of the chemicals in the past. Unfortunately, the research has highlighted some severe consequences of this.

So now you are probably confused because pesticides do go through safety tests, right? Well, yes they do but, according to Merryl Hammond in Pesticide Bylaws: Why We Need Them and How to Get Them, most safety tests are not up to the standard they should be. Single chemicals are tested rather than compounds and the effects are only tested on healthy people rather than the vulnerable. This is backed up by another fact from Hammond – it is actually illegal to describe pesticides as safe in any way in the United States.

As a result of the above and the very nature of pesticides, there are so many dangers that it is difficult to document them all here. Some of the chemicals are actually carcinogenic, meaning that they cause cancer, and can also lead to decreased fertility, organ damage, genetic faults, allergies, asthma and other similar illnesses and ailments. Vulnerable adults and children are at the most at risk because of their lower immunity. However, certain toxic pesticides can affect individuals of all ages and health levels so it is a serious problem.

The dangers of pesticides should definitely be taken seriously and you absolutely should be aware of what you are eating before you put any fruits or vegetables in your mouth. Growing your own vegetables or eating organic produce can definitely help you to avoid these dangers and stay healthy because you can have peace of mind that your food is completely safe. Always remember that healthy natural food is better for helping you to achieve a healthy body.

Of course, one of the best ways to know what chemicals are or, preferably, aren't on your fresh produce, is to grow it yourself.  For a complete guide to growing your own vegetables, check out our complete and practical guide to growing your own vegetables at home.