Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen; Lar Uriah Alexander; Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia; Ozulu George Uchebike

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

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Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Lar Uriah Alexander, Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia, Ozulu George Uchebike

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 3, Issue 6-2)

Received: 29 September 2014 Accepted: 5 October 2014 Published: 25 December 2014

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Abstract

Public health is threaten by imbalances in the distribution of chemical elements in the environment resulting from natural or/and anthropogenic activities. Of significance are toxicities resulting from anthropogenic activities such as mining, ore mineral processing, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the use of pesticides in agriculture etc. To reduce the impact of these chemical elements on the environment and their consequence human health effects, there is need for the establishment of toxicological health facility in the vicinity of the mining communities in other to minimize the problem of wrong diagnosis as often is the case. Unfortunately, modern geochemical data are rarely available for developing countries, or may be inadequate for environmental purposes, having been collected principally for mineral exploration. Geochemical surveys (ideally incorporating data for soil, stream-sediment, natural/mine dust, vegetation and water samples) are of considerable value in studies linking the environment, food and health. Geochemical maps are pointers to potential areas of chemical element deficiency or toxicity, enabling expensive veterinary or medical investigations to be better targeted. The understanding of the geochemistry of the environment is necessary for the development of sound principles, strategies, programs and approaches that will minimize public health risks. Thus, to comprehensively and extensively address the issues of public health emanating from chemical element toxicities and deficiencies, mine/natural dust associated with geologic material, mining and mineral processing, there is need for closer collaboration, synergy and partnership among the public health researchers (physicians, environmentalists, nutritionists, geochemists, botanists, biochemists, atmospheric chemists and others). On the part of public health centres, there should be enhanced and improved medical record-keeping, sources from which reliable epidemiological data about incidence, prevalence and trends in disease occurrence can be extracted. The analytical capacity of research centres should be enhanced to enable the contents of nutritional and toxic elements to be measured at the very low concentrations needed for making tangible correlations between geology and environmental health conditions.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 3, Issue 6-2) This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Earth Materials, Diet, Water and Human Health
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
Page(s)	30-34
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), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Environment, Chemical Elements, Partnership, Developing Economies, Toxicological Centres and Public Health, Geochemistry

References

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[2]	Appleton, J. D. (1992). Review of the use of regional geochemical maps for identifying areas where mineral deficiencies or excesses may affect cattle productivity in tropical countries: British Geological Survey Technical Report, no. WC/92/24.
[3]	Bunnell, J.E. Karlsen, A.W. Finkelman, R.B. Shields, T.M. (2005). Geographic information systems (GIS) in human health studies. In: Selinus, O., Alloway, B., Centeno, J.A., Finkelman, R. B., Fuge, R., Lindh, U., Smedley, P. (eds.). Essentials of Medical Geology. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 633-644.
[4]	Davies, T.C., (2010). Medical Geology in Africa. In: O. Selinus, R.B. Finkelman, J. Centeno (Eds.), ‘Medical Geology - A Regional Synthesis’; Chapter 8, p. 199 - 219; 1st Edition, Springer Verlag, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 559 pages
[5]	Fordyce, F. (2005). Selenium deficiency and toxicity in the environment. In: Selinus, O., Alloway, B., Centeno, J.A., Finkelman, R.B., Fuge, R., Lindh, U., Smedley, P. (eds.). Essentials of Medical Geology. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 373-415.
[6]	Lar, U.A., Ngozi-Chika, C.S., Ashano, E.C. (2013). Human exposure to lead and other potentially harmful elements associated with galena mining in New Zurak, Central Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences (JAES) by Elsevier, Vol. 84 p. 13 - 19.
[7]	Lar, Uriah Alexander (2013). Trace Elements and Health: An Environmental Risk in Nigeria. Earth Science. Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 66-72 doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
[8]	Lindh, U. (2005). Biological functions of the elements. In: Selinus, O., Alloway, B., Centeno, J.A., Finkelman, R.B., Fuge, R., Lindh, U., Smedley, P. (eds). Essentials of Medical Geology. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 115-160.
[9]	Ngozi-Chika, C.S., 2012. The consequences of human exposure to lead and other potentially harmful elements (PHEs) associated with galena mining in New Zurak , Central Nigeria. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, University of Jos, Nigeria.
[10]	Oyoo-Okoth, E., Admiraal, W., Osano, O., Ngure, V., Kraak, M.H.S., Omutange, E.S., 2010c. Monitoring exposure to heavy metals among children in Lake Victoria, Kenya: environmental and fish matrix. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 73, 1797–1803.
[11]	Plumlee GS, Morman SA. (2011). Mine wastes and human health. Elements 7:399–404.
[12]	Tchounwou, P.B., Patlolla, A.K. Centeno, J.A. (2003). Carcinogenic and systemic health effects associated with arsenic exposure – a critical review. Toxicologic Pathology, 31:575-588.
[13]	Van Cleve, K., Chapin, F.S. Dyrness, C.T. and Viereck, L.A. (1991). Element cycling in Taiga forests-state-factor control: Bioscience, 41:78-88.
[14]	World Health Organization (1988). Urbanization and its implications for child health: potential for action: Geneva, World Health Organization.

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APA Style

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Lar Uriah Alexander, Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia, Ozulu George Uchebike. (2014). Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 30-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

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ACS Style

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen; Lar Uriah Alexander; Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia; Ozulu George Uchebike. Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2014, 3(6-2), 30-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

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AMA Style

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Lar Uriah Alexander, Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia, Ozulu George Uchebike. Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria. Am J Environ Prot. 2014;3(6-2):30-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15,
  author = {Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen and Lar Uriah Alexander and Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia and Ozulu George Uchebike},
  title = {Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-2},
  pages = {30-34},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.s.2014030602.15},
  abstract = {Public health is threaten by imbalances in the distribution of chemical elements in the environment resulting from natural or/and anthropogenic activities. Of significance are toxicities resulting from anthropogenic activities such as mining, ore mineral processing, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the use of pesticides in agriculture etc. To reduce the impact of these chemical elements on the environment and their consequence human health effects, there is need for the establishment of toxicological health facility in the vicinity of the mining communities in other to minimize the problem of wrong diagnosis as often is the case. Unfortunately, modern geochemical data are rarely available for developing countries, or may be inadequate for environmental purposes, having been collected principally for mineral exploration. Geochemical surveys (ideally incorporating data for soil, stream-sediment, natural/mine dust, vegetation and water samples) are of considerable value in studies linking the environment, food and health. Geochemical maps are pointers to potential areas of chemical element deficiency or toxicity, enabling expensive veterinary or medical investigations to be better targeted. The understanding of the geochemistry of the environment is necessary for the development of sound principles, strategies, programs and approaches that will minimize public health risks. Thus, to comprehensively and extensively address the issues of public health emanating from chemical element toxicities and deficiencies, mine/natural dust associated with geologic material, mining and mineral processing, there is need for closer collaboration, synergy and partnership among the public health researchers (physicians, environmentalists, nutritionists, geochemists, botanists, biochemists, atmospheric chemists and others). On the part of public health centres, there should be enhanced and improved medical record-keeping, sources from which reliable epidemiological data about incidence, prevalence and trends in disease occurrence can be extracted. The analytical capacity of research centres should be enhanced to enable the contents of nutritional and toxic elements to be measured at the very low concentrations needed for making tangible correlations between geology and environmental health conditions.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria
AU  - Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen
AU  - Lar Uriah Alexander
AU  - Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia
AU  - Ozulu George Uchebike
Y1  - 2014/12/25
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 30
EP  - 34
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
AB  - Public health is threaten by imbalances in the distribution of chemical elements in the environment resulting from natural or/and anthropogenic activities. Of significance are toxicities resulting from anthropogenic activities such as mining, ore mineral processing, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the use of pesticides in agriculture etc. To reduce the impact of these chemical elements on the environment and their consequence human health effects, there is need for the establishment of toxicological health facility in the vicinity of the mining communities in other to minimize the problem of wrong diagnosis as often is the case. Unfortunately, modern geochemical data are rarely available for developing countries, or may be inadequate for environmental purposes, having been collected principally for mineral exploration. Geochemical surveys (ideally incorporating data for soil, stream-sediment, natural/mine dust, vegetation and water samples) are of considerable value in studies linking the environment, food and health. Geochemical maps are pointers to potential areas of chemical element deficiency or toxicity, enabling expensive veterinary or medical investigations to be better targeted. The understanding of the geochemistry of the environment is necessary for the development of sound principles, strategies, programs and approaches that will minimize public health risks. Thus, to comprehensively and extensively address the issues of public health emanating from chemical element toxicities and deficiencies, mine/natural dust associated with geologic material, mining and mineral processing, there is need for closer collaboration, synergy and partnership among the public health researchers (physicians, environmentalists, nutritionists, geochemists, botanists, biochemists, atmospheric chemists and others). On the part of public health centres, there should be enhanced and improved medical record-keeping, sources from which reliable epidemiological data about incidence, prevalence and trends in disease occurrence can be extracted. The analytical capacity of research centres should be enhanced to enable the contents of nutritional and toxic elements to be measured at the very low concentrations needed for making tangible correlations between geology and environmental health conditions.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-2
ER  -

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Author Information

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen

Department of Earth Sciences (Geology), Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
Lar Uriah Alexander

Department of Geology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia

Neimeth International Pharmaceutical, Abuja, Nigeria
Ozulu George Uchebike

Department of Earth Sciences (Geology), Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

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APA Style

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Lar Uriah Alexander, Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia, Ozulu George Uchebike. (2014). Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 30-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

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ACS Style

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen; Lar Uriah Alexander; Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia; Ozulu George Uchebike. Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2014, 3(6-2), 30-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

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AMA Style

Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Lar Uriah Alexander, Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia, Ozulu George Uchebike. Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria. Am J Environ Prot. 2014;3(6-2):30-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15,
  author = {Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen and Lar Uriah Alexander and Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia and Ozulu George Uchebike},
  title = {Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-2},
  pages = {30-34},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.s.2014030602.15},
  abstract = {Public health is threaten by imbalances in the distribution of chemical elements in the environment resulting from natural or/and anthropogenic activities. Of significance are toxicities resulting from anthropogenic activities such as mining, ore mineral processing, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the use of pesticides in agriculture etc. To reduce the impact of these chemical elements on the environment and their consequence human health effects, there is need for the establishment of toxicological health facility in the vicinity of the mining communities in other to minimize the problem of wrong diagnosis as often is the case. Unfortunately, modern geochemical data are rarely available for developing countries, or may be inadequate for environmental purposes, having been collected principally for mineral exploration. Geochemical surveys (ideally incorporating data for soil, stream-sediment, natural/mine dust, vegetation and water samples) are of considerable value in studies linking the environment, food and health. Geochemical maps are pointers to potential areas of chemical element deficiency or toxicity, enabling expensive veterinary or medical investigations to be better targeted. The understanding of the geochemistry of the environment is necessary for the development of sound principles, strategies, programs and approaches that will minimize public health risks. Thus, to comprehensively and extensively address the issues of public health emanating from chemical element toxicities and deficiencies, mine/natural dust associated with geologic material, mining and mineral processing, there is need for closer collaboration, synergy and partnership among the public health researchers (physicians, environmentalists, nutritionists, geochemists, botanists, biochemists, atmospheric chemists and others). On the part of public health centres, there should be enhanced and improved medical record-keeping, sources from which reliable epidemiological data about incidence, prevalence and trends in disease occurrence can be extracted. The analytical capacity of research centres should be enhanced to enable the contents of nutritional and toxic elements to be measured at the very low concentrations needed for making tangible correlations between geology and environmental health conditions.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Application of Environmental Geochemistry Research to Public Health Issues in Nigeria
AU  - Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen
AU  - Lar Uriah Alexander
AU  - Onichabo Ngozi Anthonia
AU  - Ozulu George Uchebike
Y1  - 2014/12/25
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 30
EP  - 34
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
AB  - Public health is threaten by imbalances in the distribution of chemical elements in the environment resulting from natural or/and anthropogenic activities. Of significance are toxicities resulting from anthropogenic activities such as mining, ore mineral processing, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the use of pesticides in agriculture etc. To reduce the impact of these chemical elements on the environment and their consequence human health effects, there is need for the establishment of toxicological health facility in the vicinity of the mining communities in other to minimize the problem of wrong diagnosis as often is the case. Unfortunately, modern geochemical data are rarely available for developing countries, or may be inadequate for environmental purposes, having been collected principally for mineral exploration. Geochemical surveys (ideally incorporating data for soil, stream-sediment, natural/mine dust, vegetation and water samples) are of considerable value in studies linking the environment, food and health. Geochemical maps are pointers to potential areas of chemical element deficiency or toxicity, enabling expensive veterinary or medical investigations to be better targeted. The understanding of the geochemistry of the environment is necessary for the development of sound principles, strategies, programs and approaches that will minimize public health risks. Thus, to comprehensively and extensively address the issues of public health emanating from chemical element toxicities and deficiencies, mine/natural dust associated with geologic material, mining and mineral processing, there is need for closer collaboration, synergy and partnership among the public health researchers (physicians, environmentalists, nutritionists, geochemists, botanists, biochemists, atmospheric chemists and others). On the part of public health centres, there should be enhanced and improved medical record-keeping, sources from which reliable epidemiological data about incidence, prevalence and trends in disease occurrence can be extracted. The analytical capacity of research centres should be enhanced to enable the contents of nutritional and toxic elements to be measured at the very low concentrations needed for making tangible correlations between geology and environmental health conditions.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-2
ER  -

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