Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria

Lar; Uriah Alexander

doi:doi:10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria

Lar, Uriah Alexander

Published in Earth Sciences (Volume 2, Issue 3)

Received: 4 May 2013 Accepted: Published: 10 June 2013

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Abstract

The concentration levels of trace elements in drinking water and food pose potential health risks to man and therefore require great attention. Studies on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicate goiter prevalence in areas underlain by metamorphic Basement and Younger Granite rocks and its near absence in the sedimentary terrains. There are cases of dental fluorosis resulting from the excessive ingestion of fluoride in both children and adults living in both the crystalline and sedimentary terrains in Nigeria with none reported from the coastal areas. Mining/mineral processing predisposes these trace elements to weathering whereby they are released into the environment in the soil and water bodies. The incidence of abnormally high natural radiation (radon gas) associated with most rocks and the exceptionally higher natural radiation associated with cassiterite mill tailings of the Jos Plateau, north central Nigeria, is a source of worry. Epidemiological records have indicated the increasing rate of lung cancer prevalence on the Jos Plateau and studies carried out elsewhere in Europe have linked about 13% of deaths associated with lung cancer to exposure to natural radiation. Preliminary hydro-geochemical study indicates high concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHE) (Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, V, Co, Cr, Ni, etc.) in the soils and water bodies in the crystalline and inland sedimentary terrains especially close to sulfide mineralization. In addition, high levels of these elements from anthropogenic sources have also been reported in soils and water in most mining/mineral processing sites and urban centres. The knowledge of the relationships between trace elements and human health issues is at its infancy in Nigeria. To adequately understand these relationships, there is need for geoscientists to intensify research on trace elements in the environment and together with professionals in community health so as to identify health issues arising from trace elements in the environment.

Published in	Earth Sciences (Volume 2, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
Page(s)	66-72
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Trace Element, Environment; Health, Risks, Nigeria, Anthropogenic Sources

References

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Lar, Uriah Alexander. (2013). Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Sciences, 2(3), 66-72. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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ACS Style

Lar; Uriah Alexander. Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Sci. 2013, 2(3), 66-72. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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AMA Style

Lar, Uriah Alexander. Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Sci. 2013;2(3):66-72. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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@article{10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11,
  author = {Lar and Uriah Alexander},
  title = {Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {2},
  number = {3},
  pages = {66-72},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20130203.11},
  abstract = {The concentration levels of trace elements in drinking water and food pose potential health risks to man and therefore require great attention. Studies on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicate goiter prevalence in areas underlain by metamorphic Basement and Younger Granite rocks and its near absence in the sedimentary terrains. There are cases of dental fluorosis resulting from the excessive ingestion of fluoride in both children and adults living in both the crystalline and sedimentary terrains in Nigeria with none reported from the coastal areas. Mining/mineral processing predisposes these trace elements to weathering whereby they are released into the environment in the soil and water bodies. The incidence of abnormally high natural radiation (radon gas) associated with most rocks and the exceptionally higher natural radiation associated with cassiterite mill tailings of the Jos Plateau, north central Nigeria, is a source of worry. Epidemiological records have indicated the increasing rate of lung cancer prevalence on the Jos Plateau and studies carried out elsewhere in Europe have linked about 13% of deaths associated with lung cancer to exposure to natural radiation. Preliminary hydro-geochemical study indicates high concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHE) (Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, V, Co, Cr, Ni, etc.) in the soils and water bodies in the crystalline and inland sedimentary terrains especially close to sulfide mineralization. In addition, high levels of these elements from anthropogenic sources have also been reported in soils and water in most mining/mineral processing sites and urban centres. The knowledge of the relationships between trace elements and human health issues is at its infancy in Nigeria. To adequately understand these relationships, there is need for geoscientists to intensify research on trace elements in the environment and together with professionals in community health so as to identify health issues arising from trace elements in the environment.},
 year = {2013}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria
AU  - Lar
AU  - Uriah Alexander
Y1  - 2013/06/10
PY  - 2013
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 66
EP  - 72
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
AB  - The concentration levels of trace elements in drinking water and food pose potential health risks to man and therefore require great attention. Studies on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicate goiter prevalence in areas underlain by metamorphic Basement and Younger Granite rocks and its near absence in the sedimentary terrains. There are cases of dental fluorosis resulting from the excessive ingestion of fluoride in both children and adults living in both the crystalline and sedimentary terrains in Nigeria with none reported from the coastal areas. Mining/mineral processing predisposes these trace elements to weathering whereby they are released into the environment in the soil and water bodies. The incidence of abnormally high natural radiation (radon gas) associated with most rocks and the exceptionally higher natural radiation associated with cassiterite mill tailings of the Jos Plateau, north central Nigeria, is a source of worry. Epidemiological records have indicated the increasing rate of lung cancer prevalence on the Jos Plateau and studies carried out elsewhere in Europe have linked about 13% of deaths associated with lung cancer to exposure to natural radiation. Preliminary hydro-geochemical study indicates high concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHE) (Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, V, Co, Cr, Ni, etc.) in the soils and water bodies in the crystalline and inland sedimentary terrains especially close to sulfide mineralization. In addition, high levels of these elements from anthropogenic sources have also been reported in soils and water in most mining/mineral processing sites and urban centres. The knowledge of the relationships between trace elements and human health issues is at its infancy in Nigeria. To adequately understand these relationships, there is need for geoscientists to intensify research on trace elements in the environment and together with professionals in community health so as to identify health issues arising from trace elements in the environment.
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Uriah Alexander

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APA Style

Lar, Uriah Alexander. (2013). Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Sciences, 2(3), 66-72. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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ACS Style

Lar; Uriah Alexander. Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Sci. 2013, 2(3), 66-72. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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Lar, Uriah Alexander. Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Sci. 2013;2(3):66-72. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11

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@article{10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11,
  author = {Lar and Uriah Alexander},
  title = {Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {2},
  number = {3},
  pages = {66-72},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20130203.11},
  abstract = {The concentration levels of trace elements in drinking water and food pose potential health risks to man and therefore require great attention. Studies on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicate goiter prevalence in areas underlain by metamorphic Basement and Younger Granite rocks and its near absence in the sedimentary terrains. There are cases of dental fluorosis resulting from the excessive ingestion of fluoride in both children and adults living in both the crystalline and sedimentary terrains in Nigeria with none reported from the coastal areas. Mining/mineral processing predisposes these trace elements to weathering whereby they are released into the environment in the soil and water bodies. The incidence of abnormally high natural radiation (radon gas) associated with most rocks and the exceptionally higher natural radiation associated with cassiterite mill tailings of the Jos Plateau, north central Nigeria, is a source of worry. Epidemiological records have indicated the increasing rate of lung cancer prevalence on the Jos Plateau and studies carried out elsewhere in Europe have linked about 13% of deaths associated with lung cancer to exposure to natural radiation. Preliminary hydro-geochemical study indicates high concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHE) (Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, V, Co, Cr, Ni, etc.) in the soils and water bodies in the crystalline and inland sedimentary terrains especially close to sulfide mineralization. In addition, high levels of these elements from anthropogenic sources have also been reported in soils and water in most mining/mineral processing sites and urban centres. The knowledge of the relationships between trace elements and human health issues is at its infancy in Nigeria. To adequately understand these relationships, there is need for geoscientists to intensify research on trace elements in the environment and together with professionals in community health so as to identify health issues arising from trace elements in the environment.},
 year = {2013}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria
AU  - Lar
AU  - Uriah Alexander
Y1  - 2013/06/10
PY  - 2013
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 66
EP  - 72
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
AB  - The concentration levels of trace elements in drinking water and food pose potential health risks to man and therefore require great attention. Studies on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicate goiter prevalence in areas underlain by metamorphic Basement and Younger Granite rocks and its near absence in the sedimentary terrains. There are cases of dental fluorosis resulting from the excessive ingestion of fluoride in both children and adults living in both the crystalline and sedimentary terrains in Nigeria with none reported from the coastal areas. Mining/mineral processing predisposes these trace elements to weathering whereby they are released into the environment in the soil and water bodies. The incidence of abnormally high natural radiation (radon gas) associated with most rocks and the exceptionally higher natural radiation associated with cassiterite mill tailings of the Jos Plateau, north central Nigeria, is a source of worry. Epidemiological records have indicated the increasing rate of lung cancer prevalence on the Jos Plateau and studies carried out elsewhere in Europe have linked about 13% of deaths associated with lung cancer to exposure to natural radiation. Preliminary hydro-geochemical study indicates high concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHE) (Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, V, Co, Cr, Ni, etc.) in the soils and water bodies in the crystalline and inland sedimentary terrains especially close to sulfide mineralization. In addition, high levels of these elements from anthropogenic sources have also been reported in soils and water in most mining/mineral processing sites and urban centres. The knowledge of the relationships between trace elements and human health issues is at its infancy in Nigeria. To adequately understand these relationships, there is need for geoscientists to intensify research on trace elements in the environment and together with professionals in community health so as to identify health issues arising from trace elements in the environment.
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
ER  -

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