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

Olle Selinus (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0126363412 | ISBN-13: 978-0126363418 | Publication Date: February 8, 2005 | Edition: 1

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is no obvious single-volume competitor to this book in the field it describes and it can be strongly recommended for the personal or library bookshelves of its target audeince of 'upper division undergraduates, graduate students, environmental geoscientists, epidemiologiests, medics and decision-makers."
-John G. Farmer, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, SCIENCEDIRECT JUNE 2005

"Remarkably detailed and comprehensive in its coverage, this volume has excellent reference tables and colorful graphic and maps. The index makes it easy to quickly fine a variety of information-from natural sources and extraction pathways to biological function, toxicity, and health effects of exposure to minerals and other substances. Summing up: Essential. Medical and public health libraries. Highly recommended. Libraries supporting related studies in toxicology, pathology, geochemistry, and environmental epidemiology, at the upper undergraduate level and above."
- CHOICE, September 2006

"...strongly recommended for the personal or library bookshelves of its target audience of "upper division undergraduates, graduate students, environmental geoscientists, epidemiologists, medics and decision-makers."
John G. Farmer for "Science of the Total Environment"

"This is an extraordinary book. It is compendial and readily informative at the same time...I'm most pleased to have had the opportunity to learn a lot while I reviewed this book and thus recommend it highly and without reservation. It's a "must-have" for a well rounded academic bookshelf!"
- David F. Hardwick, MD, FRCPC, LLD, The University of British Columbia

Book Description

Medical Geology emphasizes the application of earth science information to improving public health.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 832 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (February 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0126363412
• ISBN-13: 978-0126363418
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,341,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutting Edge Resource for the Geo-Epidemiologist(?) or Environmental/Public Health Practitioner, February 26, 2008

By 

James Safranek "Holocene Meltwater" (Steinbeck Country) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public Health (Hardcover)

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.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bible, full of knowledge that will protect public health, March 21, 2005

By 

Dr. Moebius (Milky Way) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public Health (Hardcover)

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.