Though the awareness is increasing in line with literacy rate but still now general, peoples are hostage to a group of dishonest traders. In proportion to our tradition and culture in summer “Modhumash”, the demand for Mango, Jackfruit and other seasonal fruits increased. The dishonest traders take the opportunity and use many kinds of chemicals to ripen the fruit and make an attractive color. These are not only harmful but also lethal for a human. As a result, using these chemical substances increases the risk of nervous impairment, cancer, and various diseases.
In the extreme heat of Jaistha, the fruit’s flavor and fume coax the suffering of people. So this month is called Modhumash. Throughout this time, Mango, Jackfruit, Pineapple, Berry, Lychee, Syzygium samarangense, Banana and much more fruits are seen in the business. However, how safe to eat these fruits from the market. It is seen from the Public health concerned officials and non-governmental organization's data of the past decade, mostly tropical fruit, including Mango is ripped with the chemical named Carbide. Although the ripped fruits are worse in a flavor it is nice looking. As a result, the raw fruits are being ripped with harmfull chemicals by the traders before the time for the greed for more profit.
According to health experts, the consequences could be fatal by eating carbide rolled fruits regularly. Oxygen supply to the brain could be stopped and may cause nervous impairment. Doctors feared many stomach infections and cancer might attack from Carbide. If pregnant women eat carbide rolled fruits continuously can give birth to an abnormal child. Besides headaches, lethargy may come; digestive problem and pain may occur in different veins, and memory loss may happen.
Chemical experts say, after using carbide the fruit becomes Yellow. Acetylene gas is produced when carbide comes in contact with air. For heat of this gas, fruit become ripe. This gas is used for cutting iron in an iron factory. To ripe 50 KG fruit, it needs only 5grams of carbide. However, the traders are using much more because the chemical is available, and they don’t know the limitations of using the chemical. Arsenic is produced for the carbide reaction in fruits. Arsenic phosphorus and carbide together make calcium carbide and acetylene gas, if it comes in contact with a human can create devastating disease. Besides to ripe Mango, Lychee and some fruits ethylene (a type of hormone) are sprayed. Using extra ethylene takes the fruit and vegetable in toxicity stage. As a result of greed some dishonest traders mixing chemicals in fruits for a long time said Atikur Rahman of health and environmental organization WBB.
One of the fruit sellers of city’s Karwan Bazar on condition of anonymity said 100grams carbide is mixed in a box of 50 KG Mango. Sometimes they spread mango in the floor in a small room and give carbide before closing the door. After 6 hours, it is viewed that the fruits have color. He informed there is an alternate method to ripen the fruit. The fruit is soaked in a liquid chemical mixture named ethylene. Then the fruits soaked in cold water and kept in an ‘air-tight’ box. By this time, the fruits become ripe.
On a condition of anonymity, a businessman said, in Karwan Bazar’s big fruit godowns they have hidden cistern in the floor. Bell, Banana, Mango, etc. Fruits are ripped regularly there.
In this context, the director of Disease Control and Research Institute (IEDCR) Dr. Mahmudur Rahman said, “In many countries, carbide is used to ripe fruits. However, there’s a level. But in our country, it’s used much more than the required level. These became extremely harmful for the human body.”
About seasonal fruits, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman said, different types of pesticides and hormones are sprayed since the fruits are buds in the tree. There are lots of Mango and Lychee garden where it’s sprayed more than 20 to 22 times. These fruits are very dangerous for the human body. In that case, he advises washing the fruit with water after buying from the market.
