Is there any problem with agricultural chemicals in Wenatchee? (Seattle: subdivisions, organic)

[Woof]

I was looking at Wenatchee as one of several possible places to relocate to around the country. It looks good from pictures and a little cursory information from Wikipedia, but I began to wonder about that "Apple Capitol of the World" designation, apparently lots of cherries are grown there too.

Both crops need lots of pesticides and I think chemicals to control mold etc. Is there a problem with excessive numbers of cancers or other illnesses related to that? Are there days when the pesticides are blown over the city so that one could see a cloud of it or smell it?

Any other big problems with Wenatchee?

[Hemlock140]

I can't say for sure, but have been to the area many times at various times of the year and have never experienced any air quality issues. On the other hand, in the Yakima area, there has been at times a rather chemical-like smell that makes you wonder. Many of the growers in WA have gone to organic and don't use chemicals.

[509]

Here is the state of Washington web site and database for cancer in Washinigton state: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wscr/WSCRQuery.aspx (broken link)

Looking at the state of Washington rate per 100,000......532.7

King County....which includes Seattle and its suburbs......525.1

Chelan County....which includes Wenatchee...................514.3

I am no fan of the orchard industry. It is one industry we should off-shore. However, it does not seem you can blame them for cancer.

As I understand it the smell really comes from the oil based carriers to the pesticides. The city of Wenatchee no longer has any orchards within the city limits and the orchards in the county are being replaced by subdivisions.

Private land is very limited in Chelan County as 85% of the county is in public ownership.

[Woof]

Thanks! I'm surprised to read that there aren't any orchards within the city limits, there are a lot of trees that look like they're in orchards:

[509]

That photo looks to be almost 30 years old.

Go to Google Earth and type in 98801 for the Wenatchee Zip Code.

[David Aguilar]

I was thinking the same thing, that doesn't look like the Wenatchee I know.

[skinem]

Problems with chemicals?

Other than the occasional extra flipper or hair falling out, no.

[WenLover]

That picture is the south area of Wenatchee and looks pretty accurate to me. It appears to have been taken from Saddle Rock Mtn looking down on Appleatchee (horse stables and show arena) and the surrounding area. To the left and out of the picture is Wenatchee's main area, but this picture does show the outer parts and residences and orchards. I am unsure as to where the city limits are designated in the photo if any.