GEOLOGY AND HEALTH/MEDICAL GEOLOGY

The association of health with the environment is not new but has recently exploded and become ‘front page news’ with the public. Geologists are intimately involved. They and Geologic Surveys throughout the world investigate and document the occurrences and the compositions of soils and waters. Utilization and especially consumption of potentially hazardous elements and compounds (some man made) from the environment , optimized by technical advances, especially GIS, allow association of geo-assays with epidemiological data on disease. Interdisciplinary scientific activities have fostered crossover expansion among the sciences : geobiochemistry, for example. This has led to the creation of new journals as well as new sections within Departments, e.g. Institutes to undertake evaluation of the potential impacts of geochemistry and geophysics on living forms, especially human populations. Local areas as well as whole communities may become alerted of inhalation, ingestion or allergenic factors that could affect their well-being. The increase in cross-disciplinary researches, including economic considerations, is in its infancy.