Geophagic earths consumed by women in western Kenya contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, and iron.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Geophagy is commonly reported by pregnant women and children, yet its causes and consequences remain poorly understood. Therefore, we sought to determine if geophagy could contribute micronutrients and/or be a source of heavy metal exposure by examining the elemental composition of earths consumed in Kakamega, Kenya.

Methods

Ten samples of earths commonly consumed during pregnancy were collected by study enumerators and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Samples were either collected at markets or from walls of participants' homes, based on where participants reported most commonly sourcing their consumed earths.

Results

Based on estimated intakes (40 g/day), all samples had lead levels that exceeded the provisional maxi

SUBMITTER: Miller JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6105564 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature