Medical geology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Medical geology is an interdisciplinary scientific field consisting of those aspects of geology as they affect human, animal and plant health.
- In its broadest sense, medical geology studies exposure to or deficiency of trace elements and minerals; inhalation of ambient and anthropogenic mineral dusts and volcanic emissions; transportation, modification and concentration of organic compounds; and exposure to radionuclides, microbes and pathogens. (Geotimes 2001)
Examples include:
- Lead and other heavy metal exposure resulting from dust and other particulates
- Asbestos exposure such as amphibole asbestos dusts in Libby, Montana
- Fungal infection resulting from airborne dust, such as Valley Fever or coccidioidomycosis
[edit] References
- USGS Medical Geology Accessed 07/22/2006
- Medical Geology - Geotimes Nov. 2001 accessed 01/28/2006
- Bunnell, Joseph E. (2004) Medical Geology: Emerging Discipline on the Ecosystem-Human Health Interface, Ecohealth PDF file accessed 01/28/2006
[edit] External links
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