American Journal of Environmental Protection

Special Issue

Integrating Earth Materials, Diet, Water and Human Health

  • Submission Deadline: 30 September 2014
  • Status: Submission Closed
  • Lead Guest Editor: Uriah Lar
About This Special Issue
There is a complex set of interdependence between earth materials, diet, water and human health that requires a better understanding of how each influences the others. A safer environment leads to a healthier diet, potable drinking water and good human health and well being.

The earth has a direct impact on the regional input of chemical elements into the soil upon which man cultivates food and into sources of drinking water resulting in beneficial or adverse human health effects. Anthropogenic activities pose additional health risks to the earth (man’s environment). The direct and indirect exposure of humans through the food chain predisposes them to various health complications. For example, human health risks posed by mining, wastes disposal, mineral ore processing, smelting, agriculture etc. are of utmost importance. Chemical element releases from such activities apart from contaminating arable lands, get into sources of drinking water thereby contaminating them too. Water pollution has been the greatest hazards in most developing countries.

This special issue intends to bring to the fore glaring human health issues arising from earth materials, diet and water with a view to developing suitable remediation strategies aiming at reducing the deleterious effects on human health and to finally secure a healthier environment adequate for good human health and well-being.

To this respect, the special issue will welcome contributions from professionals in the earth sciences, biology, biochemistry, geochemistry, environmental sciences, community health toxicology etc. in meeting the above goals raised.
Lead Guest Editor
  • Uriah Lar

    Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

Guest Editors
  • Vijendra Kumar Venkatappa

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, M S Engineering College, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Bangalore, India

Published Articles
  • Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Soil and Sediment of the Keana Brinefield in the Middle Benue Trough, Northcentral Nigeria

    Sallau Adamu , Mangs Ayuba , Adamu Murtala , Lar Alexander Uriah

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 77-88
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 7 October 2014
    Published: 31 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.21
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    Abstract: This research was conducted in the Keana area of the middle Benue trough endowed with abundant mineral deposits (brine/salt, lead-zinc sulfide ores, barite and limestone) and has a long history of mining activity. Small scale mining activity in the area is currently increasing in intensity causing immeasurable damage to the environment and to the s... Show More
  • Heavy Metals in the Urban Soils and Vegetables in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria: Implications on Children’s Health

    Lar Uriah , Shettima Esther , Dibal Hassan

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 70-76
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.20
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    Abstract: The act of scavenging for food on harvested farms, metal substance in waste dumps and playing football games are common among children in the Jos metropolis, north central Nigeria. The aftermath of these activities (eating with unwashed hands, inhalation of dust during playing and transportation activities within the metropolis and consumption of v... Show More
  • Fluoride in Groundwater in Nigeria: Origin and Human Health Impact

    Lar Alexander Uriah , Dibal Hyeladi , Schoeneich f Krzyszto

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 66-69
    Received: 1 October 2014
    Accepted: 18 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.19
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    Abstract: Until recently, the mottling and staining of teeth (dental caries) was believed to be an identity of certain ethnic groups or communities in Nigeria. Those born and reared locally within such communities had mottling teeth and fluoride as the causal factor was not known then. It was sooner discovered that dental caries extended beyond tribal or com... Show More
  • Assessment of Some Heavy Metals Distribution and their Possible Human Health Risks : A Case Study of Parts of Langtang South Area, Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

    Lar Uriah , Yenne Ezekiel , Ozoji Toochukwu , Jibo Jesse

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 54-65
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.18
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    Abstract: An investigation on the distribution of heavy metals in some parts of Langtang South area located within the middle Benue Trough of Nigeria was carried out with the aim of determining their concentration levels for principally environmental assessment and for future mineral exploration studies. The area is characterized by four (4) lithologic forma... Show More
  • Low Level Fluoride Content in Groundwater of the Younger Granite Aquifers in Parts of Jos plateau, Nigeria

    Dibal Hyeladi , Shem Auta Dahilo , Daspan Raymond , Lar Uriah

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 42-53
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.17
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    Abstract: Fluoride content in water has received a world-wide attention due to its importance to health. This study attempts to trace the factors responsible for low fluoride levels in the aquifers of the Jos Younger Granites despite the high fluorine content in the rocks. A total of 41groundwater samples (1 mining pond, 2 hand pumps and 38 hand dug wells), ... Show More
  • Locally Made Utensils as Potential Sources of Heavy Metals Contamination of Water: A Case Study of Some Pots Made in Nigeria

    Lar Uriah , Caleb Dungrit , Gusikit Rhoda

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 35-41
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.16
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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

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 30-34
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.15
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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 red... Show More
  • Distribution of Heavy Metals in Surface and Ground Water in Mkpuma Akpatakpa and Environs

    Wazoh Hannatu , Ikechukwu S. B , Gusikit Rhoda , Bala D. A. , Ajol Fubre

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 25-29
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 9 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.14
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    Abstract: The inhabitants of Mkpuma Akpatakpa have resorted to the usage of water accumulated in the abandoned mine ponds and boreholes due to inadequate potable water within the area. Lead Zinc deposit which is typical of the Benue Trough has been mined within the area, leaving heaps of mine tailings at the site. A total of seven (7) water samples were coll... Show More
  • Environmental Distribution of Fluoride in Drinking Waters of Kaltungo Area, North-Eastern Nigeria

    Haruna Ahmed Isah , Usman Adamu Mohammed , Abdullahi Adamu Mohammed

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 19-24
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 9 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.13
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    Abstract: This study focus on the distribution of fluoride in natural drinking water sources in Kaltungo area North-Eastern Nigeria. Forty five water samples were analyzed to determine the concentration levels of fluoride using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The result revealed that fluoride ranges from 0.52 to 4.4 mg/L in surface waters and from 0.1 to 3.9... Show More
  • Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria

    Lar Uriah , Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen , Tsuwang Kenneth

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 14-18
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
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    Abstract: Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites ... Show More
  • Environmental Risk Assesment of Heavy Metals Content of Municipal Solid Waste Used as Organic Fertilizer in Vegetable Gardens on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria

    Lar Alexander Uriah , Usman Shehu

    Issue: Volume 3, Issue 6-2, December 2014
    Pages: 1-13
    Received: 29 September 2014
    Accepted: 5 October 2014
    Published: 25 December 2014
    DOI: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.11
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    Abstract: This study was conducted on vegetable gardens in and around Jos on the Jos Plateau, North central Nigeria; a city which has had strong European influence as a result of a long history of tin mining activity in the area. The study seeks to assess the degree of accumulation and/or contamination of the heavy metals in compost from municipal solid wast... Show More