Apples: Why Is This Fruit On The Environmental Working Group's 'Dirty Dozen' List?

An apple a day may not live up to its reputation of keeping the doctor away as the Environmental Working Group placed the fruit on top of its "Dirty Dozen" list of fruits with the most pesticides.

This is the third year in a row that apples have taken the top spot, according to CBS News.

Researchers tested 48 different produce items and reviewed 28,000 samples provided by the FDA and US Department of Agriculture in order to compile the list.

The report shows that 67 percent of produce samples still contained pesticide residue after being washed.

Pesticides found in the samples can be linked to cancer, brain and nervous system toxicity, hormone disruption, and irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs.

The European Food Safety Authority also conducted a study about the pesticides in produce across Europe, citing Chinese cabbage, Indian peppers, Slovenian peas, Argentinian garlic, and Brazilian potatoes as containing the highest amount of contaminants.

Researchers suggest purchasing organic apples, strawberries and celery due to market varieties of these items carrying the highest traces of pesticides.

The "Dirty Dozen" list for this year is as follows:

1. Apples
2. Strawberries
3. Grapes
4. Celery
5. Peaches
6. Spinach
7. Sweet bell peppers
8. Imported nectarines
9. Cucumbers
10. Potatoes

Safer foods included asaparagus, avocado, cantelope and mangos, according to the New York Daily News.