Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public HealthOlle Selinus, B. J. Alloway This authoritative reference volume emphasizes the importance and interrelationships of geological processes to the health and diseases of humans and animals. Its accessible format fosters better communication between the health and geoscience communities by elucidating the geologic origins and flow of toxic elements in the environment that lead to human exposure through the consumption of food and water. For example, problems of excess intake from drinking water have been encountered for several inorganic compounds, including fluoride in Africa and India; arsenic in certain areas of Argentina, Chile, and Taiwan; selenium in seleniferous areas in the U.S., Venezuela, and China; and nitrate in agricultural areas with heavy use of fertilizers. Environmental influences on vector borne diseases and stormflow water quality influences are also featured. Numerous examples of the environmental influences on human health from across the globe are also presented and discussed in this volume. * Covers recent advances and future research topics at the intersection of environmental science and public health * Developed by 60 experts from 20 countries and edited by professionals from the International Working Group on Medical Geology * Includes 200+ color photographs and illustrations * Organizes information in a highly structured format for easy reference * Written for a broad audience, ranging from students, researchers, and medical professionals to policymakers and the general public |
Contents
Perspectives and Prospects | 1 |
Section I Environmental Biology | 15 |
Section II Pathways and Exposure | 201 |
Section III Environmental Toxicology Pathology and Medical Geology | 527 |
Section IV Techniques and Tools | 631 |
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Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public ... Limited preview - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
acid activity addition amount animals areas arsenic associated Bangladesh binding biological blood body cadmium calcium cancer cause cells changes Chapter chemical China compounds concentrations contain copper cytoplasm deficiency dependent deposits disease distribution dose drinking water dust effects environment environmental enzymes essential estimated et al example exposure factors Figure fluoride function Geological groundwater higher human important increased ingestion intake involved iodine ions iron known lead less levels lung magnesium major material measured mechanism membrane mercury metals mineral natural occur organic oxides plants population potential present problems processes proteins radon range reducing region relatively release reported response result risk rocks role samples sediments selenium shown soil sources species studies suggested surface Table tion tissues toxic trace elements transport United uptake values zinc