The Dirty Dozen: 12 Fruits and Veggies You Should Only Buy Organic

In an ideal world, we'd all eat organic all the time. After all, no one wants their cobb salad with a side of pesticides. But the unfortunate truth is that many folks face obstacles when it comes to purchasing organic fruits and veggies. Either certified-organic produce isn't sold in local stores, or it's prohibitively expensive.

And while organics' expense and accessibility issues leads some to label the movement elitist, there are actually some real health concerns associated with not eating organic. More often than not, conventionally grown produce comes laced with chemical pesticides, a variety of toxins that can affect the nervous system, disrupt endocrine function, and increase people's risk of developing cancer and other diseases. The chemicals are especially problematic during fetal development and early childhood.

Not all fruits and veggies come with the same chemical load, though. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an advocate for public and environmental health, recently released its 2010 "Dirty Dozen" list, a guide for shoppers that spells out fruits and veggies that typically contain the greatest amount of pesticides. When purchasing these types of produce, shoppers should only buy certified-organic items. Or if they can't afford the organic versions of these fruits and veggies, try substituting the purchase for an item on EWG's "Clean 15" list, a guide to the types of produce that carry the lowest chemical burden.  Check out The Dirty Dozen after the break.

1). Celery

2). Peaches

3). Strawberries

4). Apples

5). Blueberries

6). Nectarines

7). Bell Peppers

8). Spinach

9). Kale

10). Cherries

11). Potatoes

12). Imported grapes

According to EWG, people who eat five fruits and vegetables a day from the Dirty Dozen list consume an average of 10 pesticides every day. People who pick five items from the Clean 15 list ingest fewer than two pesticides daily.

To download your own wallet-sized version of the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists, visit this site. Also keep an eye out for EWG's soon-to-be-available iPhone app for shoppers.