Guest guest Posted July 14, 2003 Report Share Posted July 14, 2003 Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) disinfects by oxidizing complex organic molecules. However, there is no discrimination. It will destroy the good along with the bad and we all want to keep our enzymes and vitamins intact. A 1997 study done showed hypochlorite is only 9% effective in removing pesticides from drinking water after 2.5 hours of treatment. Ozonolysis was most effective. Bleach is toxic. Bleach is alkaline and releases chlorine gas when mixed with acids. You've all read the precautions of not mixing bleach with certain toilet bowl cleaners and to avoid breathing and skin contact. Pesticides are not chemically bound to fruit surfaces, they are deposited there after spraying. They are only slightly water soluble. Removal of pesticides by washing is due to the physical action. In other words, the more vigorous you wash the more pesticides you will remove. Adding detergents is not more effective. So what this boils down to is weighing the toxicity of bleach and destruction of the good stuff against vigorous hard scrubbing and plenty of running water. I'd opt for the scrubbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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