Apples, grapes, and other common foods often have pesticide residues that exceed safe levels for children, according to a food-safety report released this week by Consumers Union. The U.S. EPA is expected today to ban most home uses of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, commonly known as Dursban, but Consumers Union is urging the agency to go further by more tightly controlling about 20 other chemicals that are responsible for most toxic residues found on foods. Still, Consumers Union is not urging parents to stop feeding their children fruits and vegetables. The group says people can limit pesticide exposure by washing produce well and peeling it, or by purchasing organic foods.
