—Meftahul Zannat Mithila—

Food safety has become a crucial public health concern globally, particularly in developing nations. Heavy metals such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) can enter food through environmental pollution, agricultural practices, and industrial wastewater.

Bangladeshi food is highly prone to heavy metal contamination and their adverse health effects from urbanization, industrialization and absence of a strict regulatory system.

originating from phosphorite fertilizers contaminating soils.  Heavy metals are toxic elements with a higher atomic weight and higher densities that can be potentially harmful even in low levels. Pesticides and fertilizers often contain heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium. Cadmium, for example, is a notorious pollutant

groundwater is widely used for irrigation). Chromium, lead, and mercury effluents are released into water bodies by tanneries, and by textile, dyeing, battery and metal-processing industries. The major cause of heavy metals accumulation in crops is through the irrigation of contaminated water (particularly in Bangladesh as arsenic-contaminated

The contaminated water is then used to farm fish or for crop agriculture. Chromium concentrations in soil and water sources around Hazaribagh in Dhaka were found by the government’s Department of Environment (2016) to be 100-200 times the safe limits.

Open dumping of e-waste, lead-acid batteries, and domestic waste brings lead, cadmium, and mercury into soil and water. A significant amount of heavy metal pollution in vegetables produced in urban and peri-urban areas is due to poor waste management along with vehicular emission.

Rice is sensitive to arsenic contamination mainly due to irrigation with arsenic-containing ground waters. A study in 2009 drew attention to arsenic in rice from Bangladesh, reaching the maximum concentration of 0.66 mg/kg, higher than the FAO/WHO guideline value 0.2 mg/kg.

Mercury bioaccumulation as a result of industrial discharge makes fish and other aquatic products highly vulnerable. According to a study published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition in 2018, mercury levels of fish from the Buriganga and Turag rivers contained high levels of mercury far exceeding the FAO/WHO safe limit, with species such as tilapia and pangash most affected.

in 2020 that lead concentrations in raw milk were as high as 1.15 mg/L compared to the EU maximum residue level of 0.02 mg/L. The consumption of such milk lo Milks from dairy farms close to industrial areas also carry lead and cadmium, resulting from contaminated fodder and water. According to research conducted by Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), it was foundng-term poses significant dangers to children.

There are multiple effects of heavy metal exposure on health. Arsenic causes skin lesions, cancer (particularly skin, bladder, and lung), and cardiovascular diseases.  Lead harms the nervous system, potentially lowers IQ in children, and leads to anemia and kidney damage. Cadmium causes kidney damage, skeletal damage, and cancer. Mercury has neurotoxic effects and is particularly harmful to pregnant women and children. Chromium is a human carcinogen and causes respiratory problems and liver damage.

POTENTIAL PROGRESS

Recently Bangladesh has set made some progress by having some responses, policies, and regulations to combat the effects of heavy metal in our food. Codex Alimentarius standards have been established in Bangladesh, which may set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for some heavy metals in food.

the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) was established to oversee food safety concerns. Awareness programs and research were organized by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and Institute of Public Health (IPH). In 2015,

The public health experts cannot however make progress without resources. The government should frame guidelines and focus on laboratory infrastructure and regular testing of food items for heavy metals. This should then be followed by imposing stringent regulations on the treatment and disposal of wastes by industries, along with transitioning to using organic fertilizers and clean, uncontaminated water for irrigation.

vendors, and consumers about heavy metal risks and have the right steps in place for prevention. Follow this up by developing varieties of plants that absorb metals and have advanced purification systems for irrigation water. There is also a need to raise awareness among farmers,

Heavy metal contamination in food remains a serious threat in Bangladesh. Despite various systems in place, food safety efforts have been inconsistent and have struggled to identify the root causes of widespread contamination.

Achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental health is essential for this rapidly developing region. Ensuring food safety for all requires cooperation among the government, industry, farmers, and consumers.

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Meftahul Zannat Mithila is an Intern doctor, Barind Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi.