How Can You Protect Yourself from Chemicals and Pesticides?

While discussing the safety of the popular herbicide glyphosate, which is a key ingredient in the popular weed killer Roundup, The Doctors address possible ways to limit exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.

ER physician Dr. Travis Stork says that we have an increased exposure to chemicals and notes a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association, which found that American exposure to glyphosate has increased approximately 500 percent since the introduction of GMOs.

Watch: How Can You Protect Yourself From Harmful Chemicals?

The Doctors explain that in 2015, half of the countries in The European Union banned farmers from growing genetically modified crops and the European Parliment has called for glyphosate weed killer to be completely fazed out over the next 5 years. A vote is scheduled before the end of 2017 to either ban or extend the use of glyphosate. Plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon feels America may be "dragging our feet a little bit" on the issue.

So what can we do about pesticides on our food?

Jeffery Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology and author of "Seeds of Deception" claims there is clinical experience and personal experience to suggest to avoid Roundup and foods that are sprayed with glyphosate. He suggests eating organic and a non-GMO diet whenever possible.

Watch: Claims That Key Chemical in Roundup Led to Cancer?

The Doctors explain that another possible way to reduce pesticide exposure is to soak your produce in water and baking soda. Dr. Travis says to use 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 cups of water. One study found that water and baking soda removes pesticides better than just using water alone or using water and bleach.

Scott Partridge, Vice President of Strategy, Monsanto Company, released the following statement to The Doctors:

“While we have sympathy for anyone who is suffering from or who has lost a loved one to cancer, glyphosate is not the cause. Hundreds of scientific studies over 40 years have determined that glyphosate is safe for use, and no regulatory agency in the world has concluded that glyphosate is carcinogenic. The IARC opinion is a complete outlier and has been shown to be based on manipulated data. IARC members distorted scientific data, concealed vital studies and accepted secret payments from trial attorneys. Glyphosate is a vital and safe tool for millions of farmers around the world."

More resources on organic food and genetically modified organisms can be found on the World Health Organization website , the Department of Agriculture Organic Food Production website , and on the Mayo Clinic website .