Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.