## 4 Discussion
Zinc is one of the trace elements that was detected at a noticeable quantity in the clay soil samples collected from study participants. When zinc intake is excessive, this can lead to possible health complications to the gastrointestinal system, which could hamper the availability of other elements such as copper, resulting in deficiencies. Abdominal cramps are some of the potential outcomes associated with the ingestion of clay soil with high concentrations of zinc [8; 9; 19]. The recommended daily allowance of zinc is 8-11 mg/kg for adults, and for pregnant women, it is 11 mg/kg. Strontium, copper, and nickel were detected at reasonable quantities ranging from 40 to 50 mg/kg in the clay soil consumed by pregnant women and women of childbearing age. These elements have a direct impact on human health when consumed in quantities exceeding the recommended daily intake levels. The potential health risks associated with a high intake of nickel may include uterine problems amongst pregnant women, which could lead to miscarriages, and musculoskeletal defects during the childhood or infancy stages. The excess ingestion of nickel through geophagy amongst women of childbearing age and pregnant women is associated with adverse health risks such as diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, shortness of breath, an increased red blood cell count, and heart failure leading to death. Other health effects of the ingestion of clay soil with an excessive concentration of nickel amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age include musculoskeletal defects such as deformities of the feet and abortions [1; 2; 9; 17; 19]. The tolerable upper intake level of nickel for adults is 1 mg/kg, and for pregnant women,it is also 1 mg/kg [19]. When copper is consumed in high concentrations, this can lead to both short- and long-term health risks such as fatigue, liver damage, loss of concentration, and learning disabilities. Other health risks linked with the consumption of clay soil include vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia, nausea, and death [8; 9; 19; 24]. The recommended daily allowance of copper is 0.9 mg/kg for adults and 1 mg/kg for pregnant women [19]. The ingestion of strontium through the practice of geophagy is linked to potential health risks such as bone and kidney damage. Another trace element that was found in the clay soil ingested by women of childbearing age was cobalt. This element is known to cause potential risks to the endocrine system and cardiovascular and neurological disorders when consumed in excessive quantities [1; 8; 12; 19; 24]. The suggested adequate intake of cobalt is 0.003-0.008 mg/kg for adults, whether pregnant or not [19]. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and magnesium are known to be the most toxic trace elements that have detrimental effects on public health. They are listed as such and are known to be elements of concern. In our study, Pb was detected at concentrations ranging from 13.14 to 29.05 mg/kg, with an average of 22.59 mg/kg for all 39 samples which were collected and analysed. The potential health effects related to the ingestion of clay soil that contains high quantities of Pb, As, Cd, and Mg include premature deaths, low-birth-weight babies, anaemia, nervous system disorder, and at times, the occurrence of death for both the mother and the child [2; 8; 19; 25; 26]. It must be noted that lead (Pb) is one of the toxic trace elements that is listed as a carcinogen. The suggested tolerable upper intake level of Pb is 0.01 mg/kg for adults and pregnant women [19]. Arsenic was also detected in quantities ranging between 4.71-14.32 mg/kg, with an average of 8.32 mg/kg, posing serious health risks to geophagic women of childbearing age. It can have both acute and long-term effects. The consumption of clay soil with a high arsenic content could lead to the development of abdominal pains, numbness, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, and muscular pains. Chronic exposure to the ingestion of clay soil amongst pregnant women could lead to premature childbirth and miscarriges.