Contaminated food can lead to pesticide exposure by what means?

Contaminated food can lead to pesticide exposure by what means?

• A. Peeling fruits
• B. Eating contaminated foods
• C. Washing before cooking
• D. Cooking thoroughly

Answer: (B)

Contaminated food can lead to pesticide exposure directly when it is consumed. This means that if a person eats food that has pesticide residues on or within it, they are at risk of ingesting those chemicals, which can have harmful health effects. Pesticides are often used in agricultural practices to control pests and can remain on food products even after harvesting, making direct consumption a significant route of exposure. For the other options, peeling fruits may help reduce exposure by removing some of the pesticide residues that accumulate on the skin, but it does not guarantee complete safety, especially if the chemicals are systemically absorbed into the fruit. Washing before cooking can also reduce surface residues, but again, this practice does not eliminate the risk if contaminants have penetrated the food. Cooking thoroughly may kill harmful pathogens, but it does not necessarily eliminate pesticide residues. Therefore, the most clear and direct means of exposure is indeed eating contaminated foods.

Contaminated food can lead to pesticide exposure directly when it is consumed. This means that if a person eats food that has pesticide residues on or within it, they are at risk of ingesting those chemicals, which can have harmful health effects. Pesticides are often used in agricultural practices to control pests and can remain on food products even after harvesting, making direct consumption a significant route of exposure.

For the other options, peeling fruits may help reduce exposure by removing some of the pesticide residues that accumulate on the skin, but it does not guarantee complete safety, especially if the chemicals are systemically absorbed into the fruit. Washing before cooking can also reduce surface residues, but again, this practice does not eliminate the risk if contaminants have penetrated the food. Cooking thoroughly may kill harmful pathogens, but it does not necessarily eliminate pesticide residues. Therefore, the most clear and direct means of exposure is indeed eating contaminated foods.