Chemical elements and human health from the perspective of “One Health”

Abstract

Human activities are closely related to geological environments or those influenced by geological factors, which can significantly impact human health. Previous studies have predominantly focused on isolated spheres or single environmental indicators, lacking research on the multifactorial influences affecting the overall geographic environment. From the “One Health” perspective, this paper synthesizes natural environmental factors across the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and pedosphere, encompassing the sources, forms, concentrations, and bioavailability of chemical elements, as well as pollutants and their associations with human health. Comprehensive natural environmental factors, based on GeoHealth, are intimately connected to human health. Under the pressures of future population growth and rapid industrial development, the relationship between the global geological environment and human health will become increasingly prominent. Therefore, it is crucial to pay close attention to health-based thresholds and promptly implement pollution prevention and control measures.