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Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public Health

by: Olle Selinus
en

0126363412  9780126363418  9780080454191 



Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public Health
By Olle Selinus




Product Description:

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




Summary: Cutting Edge Resource for the Geo-Epidemiologist(?) or Environmental/Public Health Practitioner
Rating: 5

I don't know of any other international medical reference that incorporates an appreciation for the broad impacts of geology on health like this title. Yes, there are obscure GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH volumes available, but they don't compare with the useful variety of chapters present here. Even at the local jurisdiction where I'm employed, the chapters on radon, fluoride in natural waters, water hardness, soil-borne pathogens, epidemiology, groundwater modelling, and toxicology are handy refreshers.
There's a great deal here and a good portion is geared toward the needs of third world practitioners (iodine deficiencies, geophagy, elements in nutrition, arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh, volcanic emissions, etc)

The map of radon risks in the Czech Republic was of particular interest (for my relatives as well). See also what aerosolic mineral dusts are doing to the Chinese population in chapter 18.

Another plug for geography:
While rightfully geographic, not geologic techniques, the editors include remote sensing techniques and GIS mapping for vector borne diseaes, but these spatial/graphic techniques will continue to grow in importance for other issues in medical geology.



Summary: The bible, full of knowledge that will protect public health
Rating: 5

There is nothing else that compares to this concise introduction to the subject. I have no doubt it will help to increase your awareness of the importance of the interaction of mammalian systems with our natural environment. Highly accessible and nicely illustrated -- it is evident that a team of dedicated medics and geoscientists invested long nights editing and minimizing jargon. For this the world should be thankful! This 800+ page full-color tome highlights some of the significant interfaces of medicine and earth science. Most of the topics are fascinating, such as Skinner's review of the 'Mineralogy of Bone'. If you forgot what geophagy is, look no further than Peter Abrahams chapter. So finally there is an accessible primer for medical schools, I might predict that several institutions will begin using Selinus for courses in medical geology. The book's organization has laid a nice foundation for this emerging transdisciplinary study. The seven editors and some 50 contributors should be congratulated for sharing a common vision to its fruition. At 12 cents a page, I love it!!!!

FYI - Lastly, you should be aware that there is another book published by L-severe that has the title 'Medical Geology' (by Komatina). It is not worth a nickel and should be recycled, as it was poorly translated and largely ambiguous and full of errors. The translator should be taken out to the back and shot.