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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• Pineapple
• Health Hazard
• Bangladesh
• Cancer risk
• Ethephon
• Calcium carbide