Involuntary soil ingestion and geophagia: A source and sink of mineral nutrients and potentially harmful elements to consumers of earth materials

Toxicological evaluation of clay minerals and derived nanocomposites: A review

“…Thus, the habit of eating soil can lead to increased exposure and metal toxicity (Mwalongo and Mohammed, 2013). However, paradoxically, some ingested soils can also result in mineral nutrient deficiency problems attributable, for example, to the adsorptive properties of earth materials that can effectively bind chemical elements (Abrahams 2012).…”

“…Ingested soils can have a significant impact on the mineral nutrition of humans being potentially a source and/or sink of essential elements and potentially harmful elements (Hooda et al, 2004;Abrahams 2012).…”

Geochemical and mineralogical data for soils of the conterminous United States

“…Soil is also the medium into which many communities dispose of solid and liquid wastes from households, agricultural operations, and industrial processes. Through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal absorption, soil can be a pathway for potentially toxic chemicals of natural or human origin to enter the human body (Oliver, 1997;Abrahams, 2002Abrahams, , 2012Plumlee and Ziegler, 2003). In addition, soil is the primary source of biologically active trace elements that reach humans through the food chain (Oliver, 1997).…”

Potentially Harmful Elements in Urban Soils

“…Geophagists usually consume only certain soils with specific properties, usually with the purpose to compensate a mineral nutrient imbalance, leading thus to a discriminatory intake of soil constituents (Certini and Scalenghe 2007). However, along with the mineral nutrients, PHEs can also be ingested, potentially causing adverse health effects (Abrahams 2012). Several reports have been published concerning this particular topic.…”

“…Children are exposed to soil PHEs by dust and/or soil tracked into homes on shoes or family pets (Hunt et al 2006), by dust deposition in closed spaces (Laidlaw and Filipelli 2008), by their mouthing behavior and during their recreational outdoor activities (Ko et al 2007;Abrahams 2012). In addition, children stature usually coincides with the lower airborne mixing layer produced by vehicular traffic vibrations.…”