Promiscuous application of toxic agrochemicals on pineapple: health hazard implications in Bangladesh

This review paper explained the human health hazard implication of toxic agrochemicals applied in pineapples for quick growth and ripening it. Different hormones and toxic chemicals are being used continuously by farmers on standing unripe pineapples in Bangladesh. After harvesting, some toxic chemicals are sprayed to long-term storage. Toxic agrochemicals like ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), formaldehyde, superfix, harvest, promote, calcium carbide, ethylene, ripen are being extensively applied in pineapple field for artificial ripening and enhancing the fruit size of the pineapple. These pineapples are contaminated with these above toxic chemicals and it may have health hazard to children, adult and also especially pregnant women. Pineapples are being consumed by Bangladeshi people without knowing the severe health risk of these hazardous chemicals. A lot of human health problems like respiratory, neurological, immunological, hematological, reproductive, cardiovascular, developmental, dermal, genotoxic and gastrointestinal causes for consumption of this contaminated pineapples. The health effects of these toxic chemicals is so severe that toxicity will remain in the next generation. It has been proved that chemicals can alter epigenetic marks and that the same or similar epigenetic alterations can be found in patients with the disease of concern or in diseased tissues. Pineapples are colorful and large in size but lose its flavor and taste due to the application of toxic agrochemicals. After harvesting of pineapples, they are treated with formalin for protecting against microbial attack and it combats financial loss. The main purpose of this paper primarily focuses on the promiscuous application of some toxic chemicals and their implication on human health hazard in Bangladesh

Lead (Pb) Contamination in Agricultural Products and Human Health Risk Assessment in Bangladesh

AbstractLead (Pb) is a widely occurring heavy metal employed in industrial products and hence released into the environment, causing several environmental health risk concerns. This study comprehensively surveyed the literature on Pb contamination in different agricultural foods and food products commonly consumed by Bangladeshi inhabitants and assessed associated cancer and non-cancer health risks. Cereals (i.e., rice, wheat and maize) contained very high concentrations of Pb among the selected food items, the highest was found in wheat (4.04 µg g−1), while rice and maize were 2.22 and 1.43 µg g−1, respectively, that exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC, 0.20 µg g−1) for cereals. Vegetables contained higher Pb than the MAC of 0.01 µg g−1, except for mushroom, green banana, cauliflower and arum. In addition, pulses also contained a moderate amount of Pb; however, fruits contained a low level of Pb, except for mangoes. When examining spatial differences in Pb contamination, most districts exhibited high Pb content in cereals; however, vegetables of the Tangail district exhibited the highest Pb concentrations (2.17 µg g−1), originating from industrial operations and vehicular emissions. In terms of human health risk assessment, it was observed that consumption of rice, zucchini, tesla gourd, sponge gourd, okra, drumstick lib, chili and cabbage might pose non-cancer health risks (THQs &gt; 1); however, fruits and pulses do not pose any non-cancer health risks to Bangladeshi residents. Most of the cereals and vegetables showed a higher value than 10−6, indicating a potential cancer risk; however, fruits and pulses showed lower risk only marginally exceeding the lower allowable limit (i.e., 10−6). Graphical abstract</jats:p