Orange peel and pesticides?

Is it true that most oranges you buy at the market were at a certain point sprayed with pesticides? If that is so, then wouldn't peeling an orange in order to eat it, spread all those substances all over your hands, and eventually get inside your body as you are eating the orange? Would washing the oranges before peeling them help?

Well, most pesticides must be applied a certain amount of time before harvest, so that they are able to degrade before reaching market. A farmer will spray a pesticide onto a crop (generally, only if necessary, they're expensive to apply and buy), then wait for awhile for it to break down. The amount of time it takes to break down depends on several factors, but generally it's on the label.

I noticed that you're making the assumption that the pesticide was applied to the outside only. There are systemic pesticides that go through the plant. As I'm not familiar with pesticides generally used on oranges, I'm not sure of anymore than that.

one must know that the pesticides used in agricultre (not only orange but even the vege you eat!) is oil-based. & it may not affected if you just wash it with tap water.

best is, soak your vege or fruits in spesial soap for vege & fruit. it will rid of the oil-based pesticides from your food, and your hands too!