Medical Geology: Effects of Geological Environments on Human Health

Geology is a field of natural science that involves the study of the Earth and other astronomical objects, characteristics and composition of these objects and how they change over time. Medical geology is a new interdisciplinary field that investigates the relationship between natural geological factors and their impact on animal and human health. It also attempts to develop an understanding of how the environment influences the geographical distribution of health issues in both animals and humans. Naturally high quantities of minerals, elements, microbes, or other compounds may also be found in geologic materials including soils, volcanic emissions, rocks and dusts, which can improve or harm human health. They may also consist of impurities from human sources such as chemicals, pathogen contaminants or minerals. There are several diseases which can be caused due to geologic materials such as cardiovascular disease and iodine deficiency. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments in the field of medical geology. Those in search of information to further their knowledge on the effects of geological environments on human health will be greatly assisted by it.