Dust and Human Health - Mineral Dust: A Key Player in the Earth System - page 397

be an important factor. Yet, as previously noted, few population health studies
related to regionally produced dust exist, particularly for dusts differentiated as
MD. For example, no work has been conducted to examine the health effects of
dust on populations in West Africa (de Longueville et al. 2010 ). Additionally, more
information regarding source and sample characterization for a wider range of MD
sources including agricultural dusts is needed. Mass of emission from diverse dust
sources, variation in particle size distribution, variation in dust mineralogy and
geochemistry, and emission and transport rates under varied wind conditions would
aid in understanding exposure and health risks. Where such information exists, its
collection into a research database available to all would greatly benefit population
health studies. The diversity of MD characteristics, sources, exposure pathways, and
potential health outcomes outlined in this chapter clearly indicates that elucidating
the role of MD in human and ecosystem health will benefit from an interdisciplinary
approach involving scientists from the Earth, climate, atmospheric, agricultural,
public health, and other science disciplines.
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