ArticleAmerican journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council2018
Geophagic earths consumed by women in western Kenya contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, and iron.
Article in American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Maternal geophagy in Ghana: a mini review of toxicological, microbial, nutritional, and radiological exposure pathways.Frontiers in public health · 2026Review
- Maternal fresh moringa leaf consumption and its association with birth weight in southern Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study.Food science & nutrition · 2024Article
- Mineral composition and heavy metal risk assesment of selected geophagic soils from Tanzania.Toxicology reports · 2024Article
- Serum Level of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Symptoms of Pica Among Adolescent School Children in Northern Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study.Global pediatric health · 2024Article
- Prevalence and associated factors of symptoms of pica among adolescent schoolchildren in northern Sudan: a cross-sectional study.Journal of eating disorders · 2023Article
- Geochemical and mineralogical composition of geophagic materials from Baringo town, Kenyan Rift Valley and their possible health effects on the consumers.Environmental geochemistry and health · 2021Article
- Geophagy among a Cohort of Kenyan Women with Mixed HIV Status: A Longitudinal Analysis.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesGeophagy 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.
methodsTen 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.
resultsBased on estimated intakes (40 g/day), all samples had lead levels that exceeded the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake, and one sample exceeded the threshold for arsenic. Further, estimated intakes of iron for all samples were at least 8.9 times higher than the established threshold. Elemental concentrations were also compared by the site of sample collection (market vs. household wall); market samples had significantly higher iron concentrations and lower calcium concentrations than wall samples.
conclusionsGeophagic earths in Kakamega may be harmful because of dangerously high levels of lead, arsenic, and iron. The prevalence of geophagy among vulnerable populations underscores the importance of understanding its causes and consequences for accurate public health messaging.
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