Geochemical and environmental factors controlling exposure to cerium and magnesium in Uganda

Abstract The presence of elevated levels of dietary Ce and deficient levels of dietary Mg in southern India have been assigned as potential environmental cofactors in the aetiology of endomyocardial fibrosis. However, environmental exposure to Ce in tropical environments, where EMF is prevalent, is poorly understood because of wide variation in geochemical environments and local dietary habits. This paper describes collaborative studies based in Uganda to define environmental exposure pathways within a region where EMF is endemic, and represents the most common form of infantile heart condition. Data are presented from a survey of major foodstuffs, soils and waters which indicate that the most probable pathway for Ce exposure is from dust and inadvertent carriage of soil. In addition to substantiating observations made in southwestern India, detailed studies of Ugandan soils, dusts and waters indicate that Ce within the Ugandan environment is controlled by the presence of sub-20 μm particles in the soil. These are probably present as secondary rare earth minerals rather than monazite as assumed by workers in India.