Present Status and Mitigation Approaches of Arsenic in the Environment of Bangladesh: A Critical Review

Abstract

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that enters the environment through natural and anthropogenic sources. A small amount of arsenic remains in living organisms, but its exposure at elevated concentrations is hazardous and thus creates a toxic effect. Evidence has shown that the level of arsenic in Bangladeshi foodstuffs is higher than the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization and other regulatory bodies in Bangladesh. Previously published reports show that the transport and abundance of arsenic create potential threats to the fresh and processed products of Bangladesh. However, monitoring and assessment of arsenic toxicity in the exposure sources are lacking. Although severe contamination of arsenic in the environmental matrices and numerous foodstuffs has been summarized, a perilous appraisal concerning trophic transfer and arsenic exposure through environmental matrices in Bangladesh has not yet been accomplished. This review critically discussed arsenic pollution, exposure toxicity, unexploited research gaps and prevailing legislation for pollution control. This study also highlighted the potential transfer of arsenic within the food webs, and sustainable strategies for arsenic pollution control to enhance food safety as a vital issue in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the current review urgently recommends formulating a conceptual policy framework to combat arsenic contamination in Bangladesh’s environment.