Pesticides and Food By the Numbers

American farmers apply an enormous amount of pesticides to grow the food many of us eat every day. As part of its National Water Quality Assessment Program, the U.S. Geological Survey maintains a Pesticide National Synthesis Project, with the goal of tracking and measuring the effect of pesticide use on the nation''s precious water supply. Below are selections from their most recent data, based on nationwide totals. CropCompound(Type)Pounds Applied Peaches-Captan -(Fungicide)-314,963 Apples-Mancozeb-Fungicide)-1,347,214 Celery-Metam Na-Pesticide)-60,941 Nectarines-1,3-D -(Pesticide) -112,478 Strawberries -Methyl Bromide -(Pest) -5,021,036 Cherries-Chlorothalonil -(Fung.) -183,652 Lettuce-Maneb -(Fungicide) -550,342 Pears-Kaolin -(Insect.) -703,035 Spinach-Diazinon -(Insect.) -27,695 Potatoes-Sulfuric acid -(Pest.)-49,840,327 SAFE FOOD WATCH: Eye On Pesticides A special report with news, tips, recipes and more Pesticide Body Burden? Don''t Look And Don''t Find Five Ways To Keep Your Family Safe From Pesticides Eco-Speak: Integrated Pest Management Pesticides And Food By The Numbers 6 Surefire Ways To Buy Organics On A Budget Steering Clear Of The Dirty Dozen Poached Figs, Apricots And Cherries (and More Organically Inspired Recipes) There's A 600-Pound Gorilla In The Room And It's American Farm Policy Pesticide Avoidance 101