what are the causes of calabar chalk often eaten by African pregnant women?

Question

Calabar chalk is a white substance just like hard clay which is usually dug beside seas. Most African pregnant women eat it during pregnancy to avoid naulsia etc. But African Doctors say that it has been proven medically that it causes growth in the woman's Wom and it might lead to Cancer. How true is this?

Answer 1

Women eat this chalk due to pica which is a result of anemia because of poor nutrition...the fetus takes what it needs(assuming it is there) and that makes matters worse. Sooo, they eat the chalk.

Answer 2

It's cause by a fungus that feeds off bacteria that accumulates from the soil in those African regions.