Medical geology

medicine encyclopedia----Medical geology

medical encyclopedia

Medical geology

Medical geology is an emerging 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 radionuclide's, 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

Medical geology : 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