Changes

Medical geology, therefore, is a developing multidisciplinary collaboration that curtails the health effects arising from the various geologic materials and processes of an area, because the environment in which man lives affects the health of man (Selinus, 2004).

Medical geology, therefore, is a developing multidisciplinary collaboration that curtails the health effects arising from the various geologic materials and processes of an area, because the environment in which man lives affects the health of man (Selinus, 2004).

However, the above-mentioned issues are not the total range of medical geology. It is also interested in the use of geologic materials to cure various kinds of diseases. This has led to researches into the use of clay minerals for therapeutic purposes. It has also launched profound research into the use of mineralized thermal waters for the treatment of various diseases. These efforts have yielded laudable results over many decades. Most prominent of its efforts is the introduction of iodized salt in most countries for the prevention of goiter (Bunnell et al, 2007).

However, the above-mentioned issues are not the total range of medical geology. It is also interested in the use of geologic materials to cure various kinds of diseases. This has led to researches into the use of clay minerals for therapeutic purposes. It has also launched profound research into the use of mineralized thermal waters for the treatment of various diseases. These efforts have yielded laudable results over many decades. Most prominent of its efforts is the introduction of iodized salt in most countries for the prevention of goiter<ref name=Bunnell>Bunnell, J. E., R. B. Finkelman, J. A. Centeno, and O. Selinus, 2007, Medical Geology: a globally emerging discipline. Geologica Acta, 5(3), 273-281.</ref>

Medical geology achieves these goals through a coordinated effort by various professionals from geology, geography, biochemistry and medical sciences.

Medical geology achieves these goals through a coordinated effort by various professionals from geology, geography, biochemistry and medical sciences.

|}

|}

Deficiency of these elements in the soil results in their low abundance in plants. Sequel to this, plants –as primary producers –would decline in supplying them to animals and humans– the consumers. Deficiency of these nutrients brings negative health effects to humans and animals. A typical example is iodine deficiency which leads to goiter, which is caused by ‘shortage’ of iodine in the rocks. On the other hand, over-abundance of any of these elements causes toxicity problems (Table 2). For instance, excess arsenic is known to cause lesion of the skin in some Asian countries such as Bangladesh and China (Bunnell et al, 2007).

Deficiency of these elements in the soil results in their low abundance in plants. Sequel to this, plants –as primary producers –would decline in supplying them to animals and humans– the consumers. Deficiency of these nutrients brings negative health effects to humans and animals. A typical example is iodine deficiency which leads to goiter, which is caused by ‘shortage’ of iodine in the rocks. On the other hand, over-abundance of any of these elements causes toxicity problems (Table 2). For instance, excess arsenic is known to cause lesion of the skin in some Asian countries such as Bangladesh and China.<ref name=Bunnell />

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

   

   

* Bunnell, J.E., Finkelman, R.B., Centeno, J.A. and Selinus, O., 2007. Medical Geology: a globally emerging discipline. Geologica Acta, 5(3), 273-281.

*  

* Christine, L.E., Sujuan, G., Yiming, L., Chaoke, L., Rongdi, J., Kathleen, S.H., Jingxiang, C., Feng, M., Yunpeng, W., Po, Y., Shuzhuang, S., Frederick, W.U., Charles, W.S. and Hugh, C.H., 2000. Trace Element Levels in Drinking Water and Cognitive Function among Elderly Chinese. American Journal of Epidemiology, 151(9), 913-920.

* Christine, L.E., Sujuan, G., Yiming, L., Chaoke, L., Rongdi, J., Kathleen, S.H., Jingxiang, C., Feng, M., Yunpeng, W., Po, Y., Shuzhuang, S., Frederick, W.U., Charles, W.S. and Hugh, C.H., 2000. Trace Element Levels in Drinking Water and Cognitive Function among Elderly Chinese. American Journal of Epidemiology, 151(9), 913-920.

* Davies, T.C., 2010. Medical Geology in Africa. In: Selinus, O., Finkelman, R.B. and Centeno, J.A., (eds) 2010. Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis, 199–216.

* Davies, T.C., 2010. Medical Geology in Africa. In: Selinus, O., Finkelman, R.B. and Centeno, J.A., (eds) 2010. Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis, 199–216.