Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Materials of the solid Earth
- Chapter 3 How are minerals identified?
- Chapter 4 Fundamentals of crystal structures
- Chapter 5 Introduction to crystallography
- Chapter 6 Minerals and rocks observed under the polarizing optical microscope
- Chapter 7 Igneous rock-forming minerals
- Chapter 8 How do igneous rocks form?
- Chapter 9 Igneous rocks
- Chapter 10 Sedimentary rock-forming minerals and materials
- Chapter 11 Formation, transport, and lithification of sediment
- Chapter 12 Sedimentary rock classification, occurrence, and plate tectonic significance
- Chapter 13 Metamorphic rock-forming minerals
- Chapter 14 Metamorphic rocks
- Chapter 15 Some economic minerals, mainly from veins and pegmatites
- Chapter 16 Some selected Earth materials resources
- Chapter 17 Earth materials and human health
- Glossary
- Minerals and varieties
- Common igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
- Index
Chapter 17 - Earth materials and human health
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Materials of the solid Earth
- Chapter 3 How are minerals identified?
- Chapter 4 Fundamentals of crystal structures
- Chapter 5 Introduction to crystallography
- Chapter 6 Minerals and rocks observed under the polarizing optical microscope
- Chapter 7 Igneous rock-forming minerals
- Chapter 8 How do igneous rocks form?
- Chapter 9 Igneous rocks
- Chapter 10 Sedimentary rock-forming minerals and materials
- Chapter 11 Formation, transport, and lithification of sediment
- Chapter 12 Sedimentary rock classification, occurrence, and plate tectonic significance
- Chapter 13 Metamorphic rock-forming minerals
- Chapter 14 Metamorphic rocks
- Chapter 15 Some economic minerals, mainly from veins and pegmatites
- Chapter 16 Some selected Earth materials resources
- Chapter 17 Earth materials and human health
- Glossary
- Minerals and varieties
- Common igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
- Index
Summary
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. To underline its importance, we can point out that organizations, such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the British Geological Survey, and the French Geological Survey have divisions devoted to health and the environment and medical geology, and all have Web sites geared to providing important related information to the public (see “Online Resources” at the end of the chapter).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Earth MaterialsIntroduction to Mineralogy and Petrology, pp. 468 - 488Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2012