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 University Warren Barham Henderson — North Carolina State University Sam Jenkins — North Carolina State University Chris Hernandez — University of New Hampshire A. F. Yeager — University of New Hampshire Elwyn Meader — University of New Hampshire J. Brent Loy — University of New Hampshire Cecilia E. McGregor — University of Georgia Pamela D. Roberts — University of Florida Rebecca Grumet — Michigan State University Zhangjun Fei — Boyce Thompson Institute Yiqun Weng — USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit (Madison, WI) Jim Myers — Oregon State University Chuck Bornt — Cornell Cooperative Extension Margaret Tuttle McGrath — Cornell University Michael Mazourek — Cornell University Jocelyn (Joss) Rose — Cornell University Neil Mattson — Cornell University Alan G. Taylor — Cornell University Elizabeth Maynard — Purdue University Rosie Lerner — Purdue University Katie Parker — University of Illinois Extension Bruce Bugbee — Utah State University Mark Brand — University of Connecticut Gerald Berkowitz — University of Connecticut Vance Whitaker — University of Florida Craig Schluttenhofer — Central State University Dan Putnam — University of California, Davis Brad Hanson — University of California, Davis Rebecca Sideman — University of New Hampshire Louise Russell — The James Hutton Institute David Simpson — NIAB EMR Howard Griffiths — University of Cambridge Tracy Lawson — University of Essex Erik H. Murchie — University of Nottingham Malcolm Hawkesford — Rothamsted Research Yiguo Hong — University of Worcester Owen Atkin — Australian National University Susanne von Caemmerer — Australian National University Graham Farquhar — Australian National University Rana Munns — CSIRO Robert D. Furbank — CSIRO Noel Cogan — Agriculture Victoria Research German Spangenberg — Agriculture Victoria Research Simone Rochfort — Agriculture Victoria Research Mathew A. Gilliham — University of Adelaide Peter Langridge — University of Adelaide Ute Roessner — University of Melbourne Mark Lefsrud — McGill University Adam Dale — University of Guelph Rowan F. Sage — University of Toronto Andrew Jamieson — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Kentville) Hugh Daubeny — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Summerland) Kim Lewers — USDA-ARS James Luby — University of Minnesota John R. Clark — University of Arkansas Patrick Conner — University of Georgia David Suchoff — North Carolina State University Jason Griffin — Kansas State University Zelalem Mersha — Virginia State University