Trace Elements and Human Health in North Kashmir Himalayas
Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Physical Framework and Socio-Economic Set up of North Kashmir Himalayas. 3. Data Base and Methodology. 4. Geo-Chemical Environment and Human Health: Conceptual Background. 5. Trace Element Concentration in Soil, Water and Staple Foods. 6. Determinants of Trace Element Intake in Humans Body. 7. Spatial Pattern of Trace Element Related Diseases. 8. Identification of Risk Areas. 9. Conclusion and Suggestions. References and Bibliography. Annexure.
Trace elements have increasingly been recognized as vital to human health. They are components of haemoglobin, DNA, RNA, and various enzymes and many others are known to have direct relationship with human health. Imbalances of trace elements from dietary sources and drinking water can have an important influence on human health and disease. Diseases due to trace element deficiencies as well as excesses are known for iodine, copper, zinc, selenium, molybdenum, manganese, iron, calcium, arsenic, and cadmium. Both natural processes such as leaching, volcanism and human activities such as mining and are responsible for the redistribution of the trace elements in the soil, and water and organic environments (plants, animals and humans) through a network of pathways called as biogeochemical cycles explained by the process whereby certain trace elements can be transferred from soils to plant and ultimately diffused to human systems.
The present book on Trace Elements and Human Health in North Kashmir Himalayas has been written with main focus on trace elements and their impact on human health particularly of iodine, copper and zinc, Concentration of trace elements in soil, water and staple foods. An attempt has been made for determination of determinants of trace element intake in humans, prevalence of trace element related diseases, identification of highrisk areas and most venerable age groups across the different altitudinal zones of North Kashmir Himalayas. The book is based mainly on primary data collected during field surveys and shall be very helpful for students of Geography of Health, health Planners and policy makers for the better health in this mountainous area.
