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Medical Geology pp 175–198Cite as

Some Aspects of the Medical Geology of the Indian Subcontinent and Neighbouring Regions

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Part of the book series: International Year of Planet Earth ((IYPE))

Abstract

The tropical terrains of the Indian subcontinent and the neighbouring regions provide some of the best examples in medical geology where the impact of the geosphere on human health is markedly seen. The life styles of millions of people in these regions are such that there is a very close and intimate association between the rocks, minerals, soils, water and the human population. The case studies described in this chapter, as illustrated from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, notably on fluorides, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), arsenic pollution, selenium-based health issues among others, demonstrate this close geochemical interaction. The problem of contamination of groundwater by arsenic in Bangladesh and West Bengal, termed as one of the world’s largest environmental disasters, as discussed in this chapter typifies the dangers that could threaten countries and extremely large populations, when geochemistry of the environment and the associated medical geology are not properly understood and neglected. The negative impact of such gross neglect will be seen for many years to come and in Bangladesh and West Bengal for many future generations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS), Kandy, Sri Lanka

    C.B. Dissanayake

  2. Geological Survey of India, Bandlaguda, Hyderabad, 500068, India

    C.R.M. Rao

  3. Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Rohana Chandrajith

Authors
  1. C.B. Dissanayake
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  2. C.R.M. Rao
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  3. Rohana Chandrajith
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Correspondence to C.B. Dissanayake .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden

    Olle Selinus

  2. Dept. Geosciences, Center for Lithospheric Studies, University of Texas, Dallas, N. Floyd Road 2601, Richardson, 75083, USA

    Robert B. Finkelman

  3. Dept. Environmental & Toxicologic, Pathology, Armed Forces Inst. Pathology (AFIP), 16 St. NW., 6825, Washington, 20306, USA

    Jose A. Centeno

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Dissanayake, C., Rao, C., Chandrajith, R. (2010). Some Aspects of the Medical Geology of the Indian Subcontinent and Neighbouring Regions. In: Selinus, O., Finkelman, R., Centeno, J. (eds) Medical Geology. International Year of Planet Earth. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3430-4_7

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