Why Pumpkins Trap Forever Chemicals — and How Hydroponics Helps

Dr. Russell Sharp explores research showing that squashes, pumpkins and other cucurbits can absorb persistent hydrophobic pollutants (PCBs, dioxin-like compounds, organochlorine pesticides and furans) because a specific plant protein binds these chemicals and transports them into the fruit.

The episode covers the health and food-safety implications, the potential to breed low-accumulating varieties or use phytoremediation, and why growing these crops hydroponically is a safer alternative to avoid soil-borne, long-lasting pesticides.

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Todd C. Wehner — North Carolina State UniversityWarren Barham Henderson — North Carolina State UniversitySam Jenkins — North Carolina State UniversityChris Hernandez — University of New HampshireA. F. Yeager — University of New HampshireElwyn Meader — University of New HampshireJ. Brent Loy — University of New HampshireCecilia E. McGregor — University of GeorgiaPamela D. Roberts — University of FloridaRebecca Grumet — Michigan State UniversityZhangjun Fei — Boyce Thompson InstituteYiqun Weng — USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit (Madison, WI)Jim Myers — Oregon State UniversityChuck Bornt — Cornell Cooperative ExtensionMargaret Tuttle McGrath — Cornell UniversityMichael Mazourek — Cornell UniversityJocelyn (Joss) Rose — Cornell UniversityNeil Mattson — Cornell UniversityAlan G. Taylor — Cornell UniversityElizabeth Maynard — Purdue UniversityRosie Lerner — Purdue UniversityKatie Parker — University of Illinois ExtensionBruce Bugbee — Utah State UniversityMark Brand — University of ConnecticutGerald Berkowitz — University of ConnecticutVance Whitaker — University of FloridaCraig Schluttenhofer — Central State UniversityDan Putnam — University of California, DavisBrad Hanson — University of California, DavisRebecca Sideman — University of New HampshireLouise Russell — The James Hutton InstituteDavid Simpson — NIAB EMRHoward Griffiths — University of CambridgeTracy Lawson — University of EssexErik H. Murchie — University of NottinghamMalcolm Hawkesford — Rothamsted ResearchYiguo Hong — University of WorcesterOwen Atkin — Australian National UniversitySusanne von Caemmerer — Australian National UniversityGraham Farquhar — Australian National UniversityRana Munns — CSIRORobert D. Furbank — CSIRONoel Cogan — Agriculture Victoria ResearchGerman Spangenberg — Agriculture Victoria ResearchSimone Rochfort — Agriculture Victoria ResearchMathew A. Gilliham — University of AdelaidePeter Langridge — University of AdelaideUte Roessner — University of MelbourneMark Lefsrud — McGill UniversityAdam Dale — University of GuelphRowan F. Sage — University of TorontoAndrew Jamieson — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Kentville)Hugh Daubeny — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Summerland)Kim Lewers — USDA-ARSJames Luby — University of MinnesotaJohn R. Clark — University of ArkansasPatrick Conner — University of GeorgiaDavid Suchoff — North Carolina State UniversityJason Griffin — Kansas State UniversityZelalem Mersha — Virginia State University