TY - JOUR
T1 - Chemical Composition of Clay Soil Analysis and Potential Health Risks
T2 - Experimental Study in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province
AU - Malebatja, Mohora Feida
AU - Randa, Moreoagae Bertha
AU - Mokgatle, Mathildah Mpata
AU - Oguntibeju, Oluwafemi Omoniyi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/10
Y1 - 2024/10
N2 - The practise of geophagy is common amongst women of childbearing age from different geographic locations, including South Africa, regardless of their social and economic status such as their level of education, race, marital status, income or occupation. This study aimed to examine the women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. An experimental study was conducted at the laboratory to examine the chemical composition of clay soil ingested by geophagic women of childbearing age. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and subjected to geochemical analysis. The concentrations of vanadium, manganese, chromium, and barium were detected in quantities exceeding 100 mg/kg in almost all samples. Cadmium, mercury and silver were detected in low concentrations below 1 mg/kg in all samples. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks, and ulcers. The chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age contains potentially harmful substances, thus the practise of geophagy is toxic and should be discouraged to protect public health.
AB - The practise of geophagy is common amongst women of childbearing age from different geographic locations, including South Africa, regardless of their social and economic status such as their level of education, race, marital status, income or occupation. This study aimed to examine the women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. An experimental study was conducted at the laboratory to examine the chemical composition of clay soil ingested by geophagic women of childbearing age. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and subjected to geochemical analysis. The concentrations of vanadium, manganese, chromium, and barium were detected in quantities exceeding 100 mg/kg in almost all samples. Cadmium, mercury and silver were detected in low concentrations below 1 mg/kg in all samples. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks, and ulcers. The chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age contains potentially harmful substances, thus the practise of geophagy is toxic and should be discouraged to protect public health.
KW - Tshwane District
KW - chemicals
KW - clay soil
KW - geophagy
KW - potential health risk
KW - soil addiction
KW - trace elements
KW - women of childbearing age
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85206568655&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/app14199152
DO - 10.3390/app14199152
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85206568655
SN - 2076-3417
VL - 14
JO - Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
JF - Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
IS - 19
M1 - 9152
ER -