An overview of the geology of health in Zimbabwe and surrounding areas
Keywords:
Medical Geology, fluorosis, mesothelioma, environmental and health impactsAbstract
Geochemical anomalies of fluorine, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and other chemical elements in soils, sediments and water, as well as exposure to asbestiform materials in mining areas may adversely affect human and animal health. Rural and peri-urban communities in Zimbabwe living within the vicinity of mining and mineralized areas are most prone to the impacts of their environment because of they often rely on artisanal, small-scale mining, and subsistence agriculture. Cases of dental and skeletal fluorosis, mercury and arsenic poisoning and the more deadly mesothelioma have been reported in Zimbabwe dating back to the last millennium and mitigation measures have been proposed in a number of publications, though their implementation is still relatively poor. We intend to summarize the work done up to date on the effects of geological elements on human and ecosystems in and around Zimbabwe, their impacts and the need to further research and implementation of mitigation measures.Downloads
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