In this chapter, we briefly examine how Earth materials affect human health. A moment's reflection will convince us that our bodies and their well-being are intimately related to Earth materials. Most of the elements in our bodies are derived from soil, which in turn is derived from the weathering of rock. Humans have evolved to be in harmony with what the Earth's surface provides. Our food ultimately comes from vegetation, which depends on the soil and climate for growth. On occasions, and in certain regions, conditions can change from the norm as a result of natural processes or stresses placed on the planet by human activity, and these changes can adversely affect our health. When Earth materials are mentioned in connection with human health, we immediately think of major environmental problems, because these attract so much attention in the press, but Earth materials affect our health daily and, for the most part, beneficially. In some areas, however, certain Earth materials pose a serious health hazard, and on rare occasions, such as during the eruption of a volcano, Earth materials can pose serious and catastrophic hazards to humans.
The effect of Earth materials on human health is a huge topic, and we can address only a few important highlights in this chapter. We start by looking at how Earth materials are beneficial to our health, and then we examine some serious problems that they can pose. We finish with catastrophic hazards resulting from volcanic eruptions and the extremely rare occurrence of meteorite impacts.
In this book, we have discussed the important minerals and rocks that constitute our planet, how they form, and where they occur. We have also discussed their use as ore minerals, building materials, and sources of energy. However, Earth materials affect us in a more direct and personal way through our health. Our bodies, like those of all other living organisms, have evolved to use Earth materials for their construction and function. In this chapter, we briefly examine which Earth materials are important for good health and which can cause chemical and physical threats to our well-being. We have room to touch on only a few highlights of this extremely important field.
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