Medical geology
Medical geology is an
- 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.[3]
History
Many have deemed medical geology as a new field, when in actuality it is re-emerging. Hippocrates and Aristotle first recognized the relationship between human diseases and the earth's elements.[4] This field ultimately depends on a number of different fields coming and working together to solve some of the earth's mysteries. The scientific term for this field is hydrobiogeochemoepidemiopathoecology;[5] however, it is more commonly known as medical geology.[4] It was established in 1990 by the International Union of Geological Sciences.[2] Paracelsus, the "father of pharmacology" (1493–1541), stated that "all substances are poisons, there is none which is not a poison. The right dosage differentiates a poison and a remedy."[2] This passage sums up the idea of medical geology. The goal of this field is to find the right balance and intake of elements/minerals in order to improve and maintain health.[2]
Examples of research in medical geology include:[citation needed]
- Studies on the impact of contaminant mobility as a result of flooding.
- particulates
- Asbestos exposure such as amphibole asbestos dusts in Libby, Montana
- Valley Fever or coccidioidomycosis
Recently, a new concept of "geomedical engineering" has been introduced in medical geology through a paper titled "Geomedical Engineering: A new and captivating prospect".[6] It provides the fundamentals of engineering applications to the medical geology issues.[7]
Environment and human health
It is widely known that the state of our environment affects us in many ways.
All living organisms need some naturally occurring elements; however, excessive amounts can be detrimental to health.[9] There is a direct link between health and the earth because all humans ingest and breath in these chemicals and for the most part it is done unknowingly.[9]
Sources of chemical exposure
There are many ways in which
- Rocks are also one of the leading sources in exposure to these elements. "They are essentially the source of all the naturally occurring chemical elements found on the earth."[9]
Diseases
Iodine deficiency
One of the biggest
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease has often been linked to water hardness as the main cause.[2] Water hardness means that there is magnesium in the water with calcium playing a role.[2] Some research has completely discredited this evidence, and has found that the more magnesium in the water the less chance of death cardiovascular disease.[2]
Radiation
Natural
Other issues
Among the problems presented there are also issues with
- Hyperkalemia: excess amount of potassium[2]
- Hypercalcemia: excess amount of calcium[2]
- Hyperphosphatemia: excess amount of phosphorus[2]
International Medical Geology Association
"The International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) aims to provide a network and a forum to bring together the combined expertise of
References
- ^ "Medical geology". British Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ PMID 16081722.
- ^ Finkelman, Robert B.; Skinner, H. Catherine W.; Plumlee, Geoffrey S.; Bunnell, Joseph E. (November 2001). "Medical Geology". Geotimes.
- ^ S2CID 5881278.
- S2CID 36283381.
- PMID 26819075.
- ISSN 1651-5250. Archived from the original(PDF) on 28 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "IMGA". medicalgeology.org.
- ^ S2CID 1245988.
- ISBN 0126363412.
- USGS Medical Geology Accessed 22 July 2006
- Medical Geology - Geotimes Nov. 2001 accessed 28 January 2006
- Bunnell, Joseph E. (2004) Medical Geology: Emerging Discipline on the Ecosystem-Human Health Interface, Ecohealth PDF file accessed 28 January 2007