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Medical Geology Issues in North America

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Medical Geology

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

Abstract

To a larger degree than most others, North Americans are shielded from the natural environment. Nevertheless, health problems caused by geologic materials and geologic processes do occur in North America. In contrast to the acute health problems caused by the geologic environment in developing countries, in North America these health concerns are more likely to be chronic, caused by long-term, low-level exposures. Among the potential health concerns that have received public health attention are exposure to trace elements such as fluorine, arsenic, and radon; exposure to natural mineral dusts; occupational and community exposures to trace elements; and ingestion of naturally occurring organic compounds in drinking water. This chapter provides North American examples of each of these environmental health problems and suggestions how the earth sciences can be an integral part of multi-disciplinary teams working to mitigate these problems.

With contributions by Geoff Plumlee on Evolving Concerns about Asbestos and A Growing Role for Earth Sciences in Environmental Disaster Response and Planning

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Acknowledgments

Parts of this chapter has been partially published in “Metal Contaminants in New Zealand –Sources, Treatments and Effects on Ecology and Human Health” (Moore TA, Black A, Centeno JA, et al., 2005, Editors; resolutionz press, Christchurch, New Zealand. ISBN: 0-476-01619-3). JAC is grateful to Dr. Tim Moore and resolution press for allowing the use of this material. This chapter has been reviewed in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Department of Defense, and approved for publication. Approval should not be construed to reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA

    Robert B. Finkelman

  2. University of Queensland, School of Population Health, Brisbane, Australia

    Heather Gingerich

  3. U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, 20306, USA

    Jose A. Centeno

  4. NewFields, Denver, CO, 80202, USA

    Gary Krieger

Authors
  1. Robert B. Finkelman
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  2. Heather Gingerich
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  3. Jose A. Centeno
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  4. Gary Krieger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert B. Finkelman .

Editor information

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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Finkelman, R.B., Gingerich, H., Centeno, J.A., Krieger, G. (2010). Medical Geology Issues in North America. 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_1

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