Dr. Ansam Sawalha, the director of the Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), participated in the events of a scientific conference that was held at Jerash University, Jordan during March 25-26^th.   Dr.  Sawalha gave the keynote lecture entitled "food toxicology" and she also presented a documentary movie about the University and the PCDIC.  The lecture covered topics such as food additives (sweetners, flavor enhancers, preservatives, and others), natural toxins in food, toxic plants and mushroom, food irradiation, genetically modified food, microbial contamination, and contamination that results from environmental pollutants (lead, mercury, and dioxin).

Pesticide residues in food were another aspect that was extensively covered by Dr. Sawalha, especially that most pesticides persist in the environment and can bioaccumulate in the food chain.  Dr. Sawalha further elaborated on the diseases resulting from such chemicals and indicated that diet can be a source of toxication if excess nutrients are consumed such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. The conference also included other lectures on global warming, biodiversity, biotechniological ways in preserving the gene pool, pesticides and their effect on the ecosystem, and many others.  At the end of the conference, gifts were exchanged as a sign of gratefulness and appreciation. The President of Jerash University, Dr. Nayef Gharaibeh, indicated that An-Najah University has an outstanding reputation and called for future collaboration between the two universities.