Heavy Metal and Metalloid Pollution of Soil, Water and Foods in Bangladesh: A Critical Review.

M Islam,Xiaofang Li,Xin Zheng,Md Karim

doi:10.3390/ijerph15122825

Abstract

Bangladesh is a densely populated developing country. Both industrialization and geological sources have caused widespread heavy metal and metalloid pollution in Bangladesh, which is now posing substantial threats to the local people. In this review, we carried out one of the most exhaustive literature analyses on the current status of Bangladesh heavy metal and metalloid pollution, covering water, soil, and foods. Analysis showed that soils near high traffic and industrial areas contain high concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids. Agricultural land and vegetables in sewage-irrigated areas were also found to be heavy metal- and metalloid-contaminated. River water, sediment, and fish from the Buriganga, Turag, Shitalakhya, and Karnaphuli rivers are highly contaminated with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr). Particularly, groundwater arsenic (As) pollution associated with high geological background levels in Bangladesh is well reported and is hitherto the largest mass poisoning in the world. Overall, the contamination levels of heavy metals and metalloids vary among the cities, with industrial areas being most polluted. In all, this review provides a quantitative identification of the As, Pb, Cd, and Cr contamination hotspots in Bangladesh based on the literature, which may be useful to environmental restorationists and local policy makers.

Highlights

Heavy metals and metalloids are non-biodegradable in nature and can affect human health directly and indirectly [1]
Case reports on poisoning of heavy metal and metalloid exposure have been increasing in recent years in Bangladesh
Heavy metal and metalloid contamination from both geological and industrial sources has become a major issue for the people of Bangladesh in recent years

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals and metalloids are non-biodegradable in nature and can affect human health directly and indirectly [1]. Chronic exposure of heavy metals and metalloids can damage various organs like kidneys, liver, lung, brain, and bones [2,3]. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a population density of 1278 people per square kilometer [4]. Case reports on poisoning of heavy metal and metalloid exposure have been increasing in recent years in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, ground water arsenic (As) contamination has become a major public health problem. Millions of people are drinking As-contaminated water and this mass poisoning is the biggest

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