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1329880 
Journal Article 
The Earth, Source of Health and Hazards: An Introduction to Medical Geology 
Skinner, HCW 
2007 
Yes 
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
ISSN: 0084-6597
EISSN: 1545-4495 
ANNUAL REVIEWS 
PALO ALTO 
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 
35 
1 
177-213 
WOS:000247012500007 
Insidious hazards that affect humans and other living creatures are addressed in this review. Debilitation and disease that may arise from naturally occurring gases, minerals, and elements create problems with characteristics that inhibit progress toward adequate and immediate solutions: (a) Human or animal reactions are delayed, not detected until long after the original exposure; (b) sporadic or continual low-level exposures to the minor or trace amounts of offending materials via the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere are difficult to evaluate; (c) the air, water, and food consumed may contain hazardous substances that go unnoticed; and (d) health reactions depend on bioavailability of the hazard and susceptibility of the individual. The etiology of many chronic diseases from exposure to earth materials-asbestos disease, As- and Se-induced cancers, and other disabilities-arc suspected, but precise mechanisms of induction are presently unknown. Stipulation of disease from Earth-based hazardous materials requires collaboration of Earth and biomedical scientists to avert, or at least ameliorate, future disease and debilitation. 
geomedicine/medical geology; chronic hazards asbestos; trace elements 
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