Medical geology
Medical Geology
Medical Geology (pronounced: med-i-cal jee-ol-uh-jee) is an emerging interdisciplinary scientific field studying the relationship between natural geological factors and their effects on human and animal health.
Etymology
The term "Medical Geology" is derived from the words "medical", which originates from the Latin "medicus" meaning "pertaining to physicians", and "geology", which comes from the Greek words "ge" meaning "earth" and "logia" meaning "study of".
Definition
Medical Geology involves the study of the exposure to and the health effects of minerals, rocks, soils, and water. It also includes the study of the spatial distribution of various geological and geochemical hazards.
Related Terms
- Geochemistry: The science that uses the tools and principles of chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind major geological systems.
- Environmental Health: The branch of public health that focuses on the relationships between people and their environment.
- Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
- Toxicology: The study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms.
- Mineralogy: The study of minerals, including their distribution, identification, and properties.
Importance
Medical Geology is important as it helps in understanding how geological environment affects health. It provides valuable information for public health policies and strategies. It also contributes to the field of preventive medicine and helps in the identification and control of environmental risk factors.
Examples
Some examples of the application of Medical Geology include the study of exposure to arsenic in groundwater, asbestos in the environment, and the health effects of volcanic eruptions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medical geology
- Wikipedia's article - Medical geology
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