Abstract
This article thoroughly investigates the severity of the prevailing environmental conditions and evaluates the resulting threats to food intake and public health in Bangladesh by establishing relationship among different contaminant transfer mechanisms to human. It describes the potential of certain contaminants to get bio-magnified through the food chain. A database was prepared on a number of contaminants in the study area that are responsible for rendering different foods vulnerable to produce long term or short-term health effects. Contaminants that have been identified in the food sources were categorized in a continuum based on their allowable daily intake. A protocol has been developed which will enable the assessment of the potential of a contaminant to bio-magnify through food chain to understand the contribution of a contaminant on different levels of food chain. The study also provides a detailed assessment of the public health risks associated with direct ingestion of adulterated foods and intake of contaminants through food chain or water intake. Their intake to human body was quantified, which provides an indication of the toxicity level of the contaminants and possible impact on human health. The traditional four steps of risk assessment technique have been employed for some model contaminants (including metals, organic contaminants and food adulterants). Additionally, existing rules and regulations of Bangladesh were identified with possible limitations that can play significant role in controlling the food adulteration practices and concentration of contaminants in the environment and human body. Finally, a holistic approach to necessary interventions has been prescribed at policy, treatment and evaluation level to prevent the water pollution and food adulteration. Thus, a much-needed comprehensive framework is prescribed in this study to promote safety in food handling, preserve environment and improve health-based strategies in Bangladesh.
Highlights
Bangladesh experiences heavy water pollution due to the poor regulation and improper waste disposal/discharge practices
Results indicated that Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn generally do not bio-magnify in food chains that consist of primary producers, macro-invertebrate consumers, and fish occupying trophic levels 3 and higher
This will enable the assessment of a contaminant in general and elucidate its potential to bio-magnify through food chain
Summary
Bangladesh experiences heavy water pollution due to the poor regulation and improper waste disposal/discharge practices. The risk for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects associated with the exposure to contaminants through three specific mechanisms (e.g., water pollution, food adulteration and bio-magnification) can be variable depending on the types of contaminants, their respective properties and natural attenuation or digestive mechanisms. Intake and associated risks via water pollution and food-adulteration need to be quantified and effects of bio-magnification, potential degradation, and relevant other exposure pathways are required to be addressed in a broader scale. This necessitates the assessment and characterization of the risks to obtain a comprehensive protocol specific for a developing country like Bangladesh so that pro-active measures could be taken in handling further detrimental effects on national health.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
