2013 Conference of the International Medical Geology Association (25–29 August 2013)

Paper No. 1
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM

BIOMINERALS IN THE HUMAN BODY


SKINNER, Catherine, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, Box 208109, New Haven, CT 06520-8109, catherine.skinner@yale.edu

The human body may deposit within it up to 40 different minerals. The predominant species is the calcium phosphate, bioapatite found in bones and teeth. However, other minerals, virtually identical to those found in geo-environments, are also found in humans. Many may initate immediate or long term antigeneic reactions post inhalation. ingestion, or accidental injection. The result, often spontaneous disease, may alternatively require extended time as the body seeks to eliminate 'foreign' inorganic or biologic " particles" from human tissues/organs. The medical community contributes to our understandings of hazards albeit a few related to personal habits. Global advances in genetics in addition to basic physical chemical researches, are showing remarkable parallels between the body and our planet earth. Early life, with billions of eons of history, has aspects we can learn to appreciate and apply to human populations. their physiolgies and ecologies today.
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