: Their thin skin is often insufficient to keep pesticides out.

These 12 fruits and vegetables were found to have the highest levels of pesticide residue. If you wanted to reduce pesticide exposure in 2017, these were the top items to buy organic:

: A new addition in 2017 (replacing cucumbers), they tend to absorb substances from the soil through their skin. The Clean Fifteen: Safer to Buy Conventional

These items were found to have the lowest pesticide residue, making them "budget savers" where organic versions are less critical. The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 Lists 2017 - Myrtle Beach

: Testing showed approximately 97% of samples were contaminated with at least one pesticide.

: High exposure due to being eaten whole, skin and all.

: A new addition to the 2017 Dirty Dozen, replacing cherry tomatoes.

: Samples showed an average of five different pesticides.