EPA won't ban pesticide chlorpyrifos; is it safe?

By Susan Scutti, CNN

Updated 2257 GMT (0657 HKT) March 30, 2017

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Every year, the Environmental Working Group publishes its <a href="http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php" target="_blank">Dirty Dozen</a> list, naming the fruits and vegetables that rank highest in pesticide residue. This year, strawberries remained at the top of the list; a single sample of strawberries showed 20 pesticides.

Photos: The 2017 'Dirty Dozen'

Every year, the Environmental Working Group publishes its Dirty Dozen list, naming the fruits and vegetables that rank highest in pesticide residue. This year, strawberries remained at the top of the list; a single sample of strawberries showed 20 pesticides.

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Photos: The 2017 'Dirty Dozen'

Spinach jumped into the second spot this year with twice as much pesticide residue by weight than any other crop on the Dirty Dozen list. Four pesticides -- one insecticide and three fungicides -- were responsible for the bulk of the residues detected on spinach.

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Photos: The 2017 'Dirty Dozen'

Nectarines remained in the third spot on the list. Nearly all samples of strawberries, spinach, peaches, nectarines, cherries and apples tested positive for residue of at least one pesticide, according to the group.

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Photos: The 2017 'Dirty Dozen'

Last year, apples came in at No. 2 after having been a list leader for the past five years. This year, apples fell to the fourth spot on the list.

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Photos: The 2017 'Dirty Dozen'

Peaches moved down one ranking this year after claiming the No. 4 spot in 2016.

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Photos: The 2017 'Dirty Dozen'

Pesticides on conventionally grown pears have increased dramatically in recent years, according to the latest tests by the USDA. Pears now rank sixth on the list, up from 22nd previously.

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