Does organic foods have pesticides? What the evidence says
Organic food is often marketed as a cleaner choice. But does “organic” mean pesticide-free? No. Organic farmers can use pesticides, including some synthetic products where regulations allow them. The difference…
Dirty dozen organic foods: what the list means for pesticide exposure and water quality
The “Dirty Dozen” is often presented as a shopping guide: buy these fruits and vegetables organic, and you will reduce your exposure to pesticide residues. But the list is not…
Pesticide neonicotinoids and their impact on water quality
Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides designed to protect crops from damaging pests. Their effects on bees have attracted considerable attention, but the story does not end in fields or gardens.…
Can organic food have pesticides? What organic labels really mean for pesticide residues and water quality
“Organic” is often taken to mean “grown without pesticides”. That sounds reassuring, but it is not what the label promises. Organic farms can use certain pesticides, and food labelled organic…
Clean 15 UK: what the water standard means for PFAS contamination and drinking water
“Clean 15” sounds like a clear promise: keep PFAS in drinking water below 15 parts per trillion. But before treating it as a new UK legal limit, it is worth…
Dirty dozen UK 2026: PFAS pollution, drinking water risks and regulations
“Dirty dozen” is a useful phrase for a complicated problem: it suggests twelve clear-cut places, ranked from worst to best. But there is no official UK list of twelve PFAS-polluted…
Pesticide bans and water quality: what they mean for PFAS pollution
When a pesticide is banned, it is tempting to assume the water problem has been solved. But chemicals do not disappear when their approval ends. Some remain in soil and…
Dirty dozen pesticides: health risks, water contamination and ways to reduce exposure
“Dirty Dozen” sounds like the name of a list of dangerous chemicals. It is not. The term usually refers to an annual list of fruit and vegetables that the US…
Foods with pesticides: common sources and ways to reduce exposure
Finding a pesticide residue on food does not automatically mean that food is unsafe. It does, however, raise a reasonable question: where are residues most likely to occur, and what…
Dirty dozen fruits and vegetables: how to reduce pesticide exposure and protect your health
“Dirty Dozen” is the name given to an annual list of fruits and vegetables that, in tests, are more likely than others to carry detectable pesticide residues. It can be…