Pathophysiology
The uncontrolled mineralogy and chemistry of geophagic materials pose risks of respiratory complications, including pneumoconiosis, due to potential exposure to harmful mineral dust [PMID:27342642].
Epidemiology
The practice of geophagy, driven by cultural and nutritional factors, exposes individuals to variable and uncontrolled mineral compositions in soil, potentially elevating the risk of mixed mineral dust pneumoconiosis [PMID:27342642].
Management
Given the risks associated with geophagy, interventions focusing on balanced mineral nutrition through safer means could help reduce the practice and associated health risks like pneumoconiosis [PMID:27342642].
References
1 Frazzoli C, Pouokam GB, Mantovani A, Orisakwe OE. Health risks from lost awareness of cultural behaviours rooted in traditional medicine: An insight in geophagy and mineral intake. The Science of the total environment 2016. link
1 papers cited of 27 indexed.