Characterization of peloids from different regions of Brazil

Since the early days of humankind, peloids have been used for therapeutic purposes. However, the safety and efficacy of these materials for therapeutic treatments has never been regulated in most of the countries where it is commonly used. In this study, samples os peloids from different regions of Brazil (Águas de São Pedro, Paraty and Araxá) were characterized: mineral composition (X-ray diffractometry), physicochemical characteristics (pH, redox potential, moisture, % loss on ignition at 550 °C and 1000 °C, cooling kinetics, swelling power, specific surface area), concentration of trace elements (X-ray fluorescence, Neutron activation analysis, Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry) and radiological activity (Gamma spectrometry). The results showed great variability in mineral composition, physicochemical characteristics, elemental concentration, concentration of activity and little variation in cooling kinetics. However, this variation is also found when comparing the results with some those presented by other authors. This study concludes that the three peloids studied are good candidates to be used for topical application. Metals and potentially toxic elements present are in concentrations levels that are unlikely to cause risk to health.