Determination of trace elements and their concentrations in clay-balls: problem of geophagia practice in Ghana

Trace element contents in clay-balls intentionally ingested by geophagia practitioners in Ghana were studied. Ten samples of 100 g weight were sub sampled from 1400 g. The remaining 400 g samples were kept as library samples.... [ view full abstract ]

Trace element contents in clay-balls intentionally ingested by geophagia practitioners in Ghana were studied. Ten samples of 100 g weight were sub sampled from 1400 g. The remaining 400 g samples were kept as library samples. Trace element contents in the clay-balls were determined by X-ray fluorescence technique. Results indicated clay-balls eating to prevent diseases contain toxic trace elements arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), Cs, Zr and La that are hazardous to health. It was concluded that geophagy clay originating from Ashanti, Upper East and Volta regions that are widely sold on markets in Ghana could have potentially negative health impact on consumers if consumed at 70g per day or more and on regular basis. Investigations to know the contained elemental concentrations to guide the daily dose rate will make geophagia attractive and risk free from the undesirable non-essential trace elements.