There are many fruits and vegetables that are simply washed with water or cleaning agents without peeling before eating. However, research has shown that this method alone does not sufficiently remove harmful pesticide residues from the skins of fruits and vegetables.

The research team at Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, China, sprayed pesticides containing ingredients such as Tiram and Carbendazim on cucumbers, apples, shrimp, and rice. Then, millions of households washed the skins using common cleaning methods they typically use when consuming these foods. Afterwards, they used special films to check how much pesticide residue remained.

It was confirmed that, although at a 'low concentration,' pesticide residues were still detected. In particular, when examining apple skins, pesticide components had penetrated approximately 30 micrometers into the flesh layer from the skin layer.

The research team explained, "It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of pesticide (insecticide) intake by simply washing the surface when eating fruits or vegetables," and added, "Peeling the skin is the only way to effectively remove pesticide residues on the skin and near the skin, thereby reducing the possibility of pesticide ingestion."

Carbendazim, an ingredient in insecticides, has been shown in some animal studies to increase the risk of liver cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tiram can cause problems in fetal development and irritate the skin.

This research result was published in the American Chemical Society's journal 'Nano Letters' on the 7th.