Medical Geology of Soil Ecology

Soils influence human health in many ways, both positive and negative. These include the supply of nutrients; exposure to heavy metals, organic chemicals, and pathogens; the supply of antibiotics and other medicines; and soils may even support mental health. Soils can impact all aspects of the human system, from the skin to the respiratory tract, digestive and nervous systems, and beyond. Human management of the soil system can have a major impact on these influences. In particular, any management that supports soil health also supports human health. Establishing the health of a soil involves the measurement of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties. Future needs in the area of soil and human health include well-designed scientific studies that investigate the links between soil abiotic and biotic properties and human health as well as soil science links to soils and human health.