Consumers should also be aware of the sources of betel leaves

 Piper betel, commonly known as betel leaf, is widely used in many cultures for chewing, medicinal purposes, and religious rituals. While it offers various social and traditional benefits, there is growing concern about the possible health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in betel leaves. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) can contaminate Piper betel through environmental factors like polluted soil, water, and air. When contaminated betel leaves are consumed regularly, these toxic metals can bioaccumulate in the human body, leading to serious health issues. Mentor Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain is actively raising awareness about the ongoing environmental and health issues associated with Piper betel.

The possible health risks of heavy metals in Piper betel include neurological impairments, especially in children and pregnant women, due to lead and mercury exposure. Chronic ingestion of arsenic-contaminated betel leaves can cause skin lesions, cancers, and cardiovascular problems. Cadmium exposure may result in kidney damage and bone demineralization. Additionally, heavy metals can interfere with cellular functions and immune responses, increasing vulnerability to diseases.

Given these potential risks, it is essential to monitor and regulate the levels of heavy metals in Piper betel and promote safe cultivation practices. Consumers should also be aware of the sources of betel leaves and prioritize those cultivated in uncontaminated environments to minimize health hazards associated with heavy metal exposure.

Details on Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106540.

The Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a freshwater bivalve mollusk and potentially toxic elements (PTEs)

The Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a freshwater bivalve mollusk commonly found in polluted urban river areas. Due to their filter-feeding behavior, these clams play a significant role in accumulating pollutants, including potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic) and other contaminants present in the water and sediments. Mentor Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain is actively raising awareness about the ongoing environmental and health issues associated with Asian Clam from urban river.

In polluted urban rivers, Corbicula fluminea can serve as bioindicators of environmental contamination because they readily absorb PTEs from their surroundings. While this adaptive trait makes them useful for monitoring pollution levels, it also raises concerns about their safety as a food source. Consuming clams contaminated with high concentrations of PTEs can pose serious health risks to humans, including neurological damage, kidney and liver toxicity, and increased cancer risk over time.

Furthermore, the accumulation of PTEs in Asian Clams reflects the extent of pollution in urban river systems, highlighting the need for regular environmental monitoring and pollution mitigation strategies. Managing pollution levels and understanding bioaccumulation patterns are vital for protecting public health and maintaining ecological balance in these vulnerable aquatic ecosystems.

Details on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196, 1178 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-13322-6.

Water and freshwater fish contamination

The presence of heavy metals in freshwater fishes from the Turag-Tongi-Balu river channel poses an immediate health risk to local communities and consumers. Mentor Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain is actively raising awareness about the ongoing environmental and health issues associated with freshwater fishes. Heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr) can accumulate in fish tissues through environmental contamination, primarily due to industrial effluents, urban runoff, and improper waste disposal.

When humans consume contaminated fish, these toxic metals can enter the bloodstream and bioaccumulate in vital organs, leading to a range of acute and chronic health issues. Immediate health risks include neurological disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, renal damage, and cardiovascular effects. For vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, exposure can result in developmental delays, birth defects, and heightened susceptibility to diseases.

Given the high likelihood of significant heavy metal concentrations in fishes from this river channel, urgent monitoring and intervention are necessary. Public health advisories, pollution control measures, and remediation efforts are critical to mitigate these health risks and protect community well-being.

Details on Environmental Toxicology : https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.23959

Sedimentation in the River ecosystem

Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain is actively raising awareness about the ongoing environmental and health issues associated with sediment pollution. His recent research appeared on Journal of Contaminant Hydrology with entitled “Distribution of potentially toxic elements in sediments of the municipal river channel (Balu), Dhaka, Bangladesh: Ecological and health risks assessment".

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104492

“The concern of potential toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in the river ecosystem is growing due to anthropological activity. Sediment pollution poses significant health risks by introducing harmful contaminants into water bodies, which can affect both aquatic ecosystems and human populations. Exposure to polluted sediments may lead to health issues such as skin irritations, gastrointestinal illnesses, and the transmission of waterborne diseases. Additionally, sediments can harbor toxic substances like Potential toxic elements (PTEs), which can accumulate in the food chain, increasing long-term health risks for communities relying on affected water sources. Addressing sediment pollution is crucial to safeguarding environmental and public health.” 

3rd International Trainee Symposium on Agri-Food, Nutrition, and Health, scheduled for October 15-17, 2025.

Renowned scientist and mentor Dr. Hossain Md Muzammel has participated in the “Enhancing Community Health through Agroeconomic Innovations” session at the 3rd International Trainee Symposium on Agri-Food,Nutrition, and Health, scheduled for October 15-17, 2025. He has delivered a virtual presentation on the important topic: “Potential Toxic Elements in Cosmos Plants and the Public Health Risks in Prettification Cities.” Breanne Semenko will serve as the session chair. The event take place at the Samuel N. Cohen Auditorium, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, Canada. 

The symposium featured 150 trainee presentations and included two plenary lectures. The first delivered occur by Dr. Alfredo Franco-Obregon, Professor at the Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore. The second presented by Dr. Charles Brennan, Chief Scientific Director of the Food & Nutrition Innovation Hub at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.

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