Organic produce helps
curb risk of pesticides
I need to expand on the the newspaper’s March 23 article on pesticides in produce. The article included my comments on the “Dirty Dozen” list of vegetables published recently by the Environmental Working Group, which ranked fruits and vegetables by the amount of pesticides they carry.
I agree with the comments by Susan Sauter in her (DP-March 31) letter that washing produce does not always reduce the level of pesticide contamination in the produce. While washing thoroughly (rubbing and soaking for at least two minutes, not just a simple rinse) and peeling is a recommended practice to remove surface or contact pesticides, these will not remove “systemic” pesticides, those that penetrate the plant tissue or move up from roots.
Furthermore, the Environmental Working Group “Dirty Dozen” list is based on the total weight of pesticide residues, but unfortunately, does not consider the toxicity of those pesticides. Thus, produce containing higher amounts of relatively benign or natural materials are rated higher than those that contain small amounts of pesticides that are toxic at very low doses.
For example, sulfur is a naturally occurring element, and is an essential nutrient for human health, but can be an effective disease control chemical in fruits and vegetables. The EWG list does not consider the actual risk of such materials, only the total weight.
I agree with the EWG recommendation that eating fruits and vegetables is good for us, and that we should not avoid them solely because of the low levels of residual pesticides. Washing and peeling can help remove some, but not all pesticide residues. Choosing a diet of organic produce can further reduce the risk to consumers and the environment.
Jim Kotcon
Morgantown
Good and bad news on
local road conditions
Is this the first time delegates were aware of treacherous roads in western Monongalia County? Did they travel these roads during their campaign while placing signs or leave that to volunteers?
Delegate Danielle Walker is depicted standing in a crater on Jakes Run Road to the amusement of Chris Childs and fellow Delegate Rodney Pyles. I doubt if the residents of the area found anything amusing about that pothole.
Northern Preston County has experienced the same neglect by the Division of Highways.
It is encouraging that the delegates took time to actually represent the constituents by investigating the low priority roads in the area. I believe that some politicians make ingenious promises just to parry the avalanche of complaints.
With all the publicity about the despicable roads there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the Legislature passed Randy’s dream (SB 522). The bad news is that Gov. Jim Justice vetoed it. Was Randy’s dream more cerebral than the governor’s dream? Is there narcissism in the Executive Office?
I am elated that the Glades Farm Road is being paved by Bear Contracting, but it appears that the cost of asphalt has increased substantially and has caused the project to be less than what was promised. We were told by a representative of Bear Contracting that the surface would be ground up, milled and we assumed a sufficient amount of gravel would be placed before the paving commenced. This hasn’t transpired.
Why not do a professional job that will last more than two to three years? Where is the state inspector who checks the quality of material and the thickness of the asphalt?
We don’t need politicians designing our bridges and roads. We need qualified professional engineers and inspectors to see that the job is done properly instead of wasting tax dollars on a Band-Aid type fix.
It is better to do something and fail than to do nothing and succeed. We need to learn from our failures. I am not blaming Bear Contracting. I am sure it is doing the best it can with what the state authorized.
Gene Lemley
Bruceton Mills
