BETELNUT (Ping Lung): ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, SUBSTANCE ADDICTION AND CANCER

Abstract

The betelnut are grow in the form of grape among the crown of tall trees, tropical palm type in the south of Taiwan. Betelnut plantations have increased in Taiwan more than five times from the end of 1990s because of huge profits and demand. Since the late 1990s, the government has declared war on production and consumption of betelnut, because of demages on the people health and environment. For this reason, today the betelnut name is identified with environment, addiction and cancer. The betelnut are grow in Southeast Asia and especially in southern part of Taiwan. Research has shown that the consumption of betelnut has negative effects on environment and human health. Its effects on the environment are seen as soil erosion and acidification by excessive washing of the soil. On the other hand, its negative effects on human health are seen as substance addiction, mouth and laryngeal cancer. As known the betelnut the second most important product in agricultural production after rice in Taiwan and used by many consumers as chewing gum. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the destructive effects of the betelnut on the environment and human body and finally to make a general assessment of the policies of the Taiwan government against the production and consumption of betel nuts. The study was prepared as a literatüre review.

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