Episode 10: EWG Alexis Temkin PhD - What Is The EWG Shopper's Guide To Pesticides In Produce

Alexis Temkin, PhD is a Senior Toxicologist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).   Alexis Temkin, PhD supports EWG's consumer databases, policy and research in the areas of personal care and cleaning products, pesticides and tap water. She began her research career at Columbia University Medical Center, working as a lab technician studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for environmental influence on gene regulation. As a doctoral student, she studied how exposure to environmental chemicals during development can influence adult obesity and metabolic syndrome.   The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.  Its mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. EWG drives consumer choice and civic action with its game-changing investigations and research on toxics and environmental health, food and agriculture, and water and energy. For two decades, EWG's groundbreaking research has changed the debate over environmental health. From households to Capitol Hill, EWG's team of scientists, policy experts, lawyers, communication experts and programmers has worked tirelessly to make sure someone is standing up for public health when government or industry won't.   TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 1:20 – Introduction 1:20 – 2:32 – What is the Environmental Working Group and what type of work does it do? 2:32 – 4:12 – Can you tell me a little bit about your background and what led to your career at the Environmental Working Group? 4:12 – 6:40 – What are some of the dangers of synthetic pesticide exposure to humans, animals, and our environment? 6:40 – 9:21 – What is the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce? 9:21 – 11:49 – Can you tell me about "The Dirty Dozen" and what makes them more likely to have high levels of pesticides? 11:49 – 15:14 – What are some of the fungicides that are commonly found on the Dirty Dozen and why are they used on produce? 15:14 – 20:08 – This year, you also explored pesticides in baby food. Can you tell me a little bit more about that research and its key findings? 20:08 – 22:51 – Can you tell me about "The Clean Fifteen" and what makes them more likely to have lower levels of pesticides? 22:51 – 25:02 – Some types of produce are tested but don't appear on "The Dirty Dozen" or "The Clean Fifteen" lists. What should people know about these types of produce? 25:02 – 26:44 – What actions can people take to advocate for synthetic pesticide-free produce? 26:44 – 28:12 – Things to share and wrap up   ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP INFORMATION Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/ Environmental Working Group YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/EnvironmentalWG Environmental Working Group Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewg.org Environmental Working Group Instagram: @environmentalworkinggroup   RESOURCES Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/full-list.php   FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1 RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet   TAGS Food Environment Health Podcast Sustainability Organic Organic Certified Environmental Working Group EWG Pesticides in Produce Clean Fifteen Dirty Dozen