Medical Geology is a rapidly growing field concerned with the relationship between natural geological factors and human and animal health, as well as with improving our understanding of the influence of environmental factors on the geographical distribution of health problems. This book brings together the work of geoscientists and medical/public health researchers, which addresses health problems caused, or exacerbated by geological materials (rocks, minerals, atmospheric dust and water) and processes (including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Among the environmental health problems discussed in this book are exposure to toxic levels of trace essential and non-essential elements such as arsenic and mercury, trace element deficiencies, exposure to natural dusts and to radioactivity and naturally occurring organic compounds in drinking water. The volume also deals with the many health benefits of geologic materials and processes.
Provisional Contents: Chapters 1-12 are regional chapters. 1.North America.- 2.Mexico, Caribbean.- 3.South America.- 4.Indian Subcontinent.- 5.China.- 6.South East Asia.- 7.Japan.- 8.Australia.- 9.Middle East.- 10.Africa.- 11.Russia and NIS.- 12.Europe.- 13.Topical issues from a geographic/global perspective (dust, organics, trace elements, As,Hg,Se,F etc).- 14.The role of medical geology in emerging areas such as military medical geology, complementary and alternative medicine, etc.- 15.Summary, global climate change, future issues.