ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Medical geology

Medical geology is a way of studying rocks, minerals, water, and soil to see how they affect people's health. Just like how eating healthy food makes your body strong and healthy, the things we find in nature can also have an impact on our overall health.

But how can rocks and minerals make us healthy or sick? Well, some minerals can be good for us when consumed in small amounts. For example, a mineral called fluoride found in some rocks and water can prevent tooth decay. On the other hand, too much exposure to other minerals like arsenic, uranium, or lead can be harmful to our health.

Medical geologists study where these minerals are found in the earth and how they can affect our health when they are in our water or soil. They work with doctors and scientists to understand how these minerals can cause diseases like cancer or how they can be used to prevent or treat certain conditions.

So, medical geology helps us understand the complex relationship between the earth's materials and our health, and how we can make sure that we stay healthy by studying and managing our exposure to these minerals.