Potential health risk assessment of toxic metals contamination in clay eaten as pica (geophagia) among pregnant women of Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

Introduction Geophagia although pleasurable and somewhat a necessity among pregnant women, also comes along with its own attendant problems such as exposure to potentially hazardous substances like bacteria, fungi, helminthes and ova, radioactive materials, and toxic elemental minerals in the soil depending on the geographical location. Methodology This study evaluated the potential health risk involved during the exposure of pregnant women to toxic elemental minerals via the consumption of clay as pica (geophagia). Elemental mineral analysis was carried out using Buck Scientific 210VGP Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific, Inc. East Norwalk, USA). Risk assessment methods were also used to ascertain the various risks factors and the overall risk level. Results Concentrations of the macro elements investigated were 1.38 ± 1.5, 2.40 ± 1.5, 7.74 ± 1.5, 4.01 ± 1.0, 13.24 ± 2.2 and 13.76 ± 2.1 mg/Kg for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) respectively. While that for the micro elements were 1.63 ± 0.03 μg/Kg, 4.72 ± 0.8, 0.53 ± 0.02 and 1.85 ± 0.3 mg/kg respectively for arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) values ranged 0.611–5.44 (mg/kg Bw/day), 6.26 × 10− 4 – 106.5, 0.067–10.34 and 15 respectively. Conclusion There is the likelihood of posing adverse health problems when clay samples obtained from Anfoega which is sited in the Volta region of Ghana is consumed due to the fact that the HQ’s of these elemental minerals were > 1 which points to high content of Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni). It is also likely to cause adverse health problems in an individual’s life time since THQ for Arsenic, Lead and Nickel were above 1. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of these toxicants were exceedingly great (≤ 15) which implied a high level of unsafety associated with this clay. Per the results from this study, it is not safe for pregnant women to consume clay as pica since these toxic elements may cause detrimental effects on the foetus of the unborn child.

Geophagic clay around Uteh-Uzalla near Benin: mineral and trace elements compositions and possible health implications

“…10], pointed out that geophagic constituents could act as a lubricant for fibrous forages, provide extra minerals and stimulate the flow of saliva, which contain high concentration of sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P) and could thus relieve a mineral shortage in the rumen, which is also supported by [11]. Historically, and today in Nigeria, geophagia is almost synonymous with clay consumption and some pregnant women patronise those who sell the commodity, [1,5].…”

“…Historically, and today in Nigeria, geophagia is almost synonymous with clay consumption and some pregnant women patronise those who sell the commodity, [1,5]. Areas in Africa where such practices are in existence include; South Africa, Nigeria, Cameron, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, [9,[11][12][13], among many other areas of the continent.…”

“…This is because it was observed that the metal easily crosses the placenta and migrate (absorbed) into breast milk even at a relatively low exposure, causing adverse effects on child's neurodevelopment and physical growth. Similarly, [11] studied some major elements as well as toxic metal concentrations in clay in Volta region of Ghana, using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The elements were iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni).…”

Health Risk Evaluation of Trace Elements in Geophagic Kaolinitic Clays within Eastern Dahomey and Niger Delta Basins, Nigeria

“…This approach does not examine potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to humans [ 26 ]. However, few studies have assessed the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with trace elements in geophagic samples [ 5 , 8 , 27 , 28 ] through direct oral ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption based on the guidelines put forward by the United States Environmental Protection Agency [ 29 ]. Lar et al [ 8 ] is one of the few studies on geophagic clay materials in Nigeria that assessed the potential health risks associated with trace elements present in them.…”

Geophagia and risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer in the African esophageal cancer corridor: Findings from the ESCCAPE multicountry case‐control studies

“…Geophagy (also known as pica) is the intentional practice of eating earth or soil and is a habit that spans all continents of the world 9 . Universally, geophagia is known to be practiced mostly by young adults and pregnant women 10 and, as a result, most geophagia studies have focused on pregnant women 10‐15 . The prevalence of geophagia consumption in Africa varies considerably within and across countries.…”