ABSTRACT
The application of geochemistry to health has only just been initiated and there seem to be vast possibilities for the geochemist to make extremely useful contributions to epidemiological studies in Sri Lanka. The "Soil, Vegetation and Health Group" of the newly established Institute of Fundamental Studies has as its objectives the application of geochemistry in studies on dental diseases, goitre and cancer. This chapter deals with the recent advances made in Sri Lanka in studies pertaining to the applicaton of geochemistry in health. The fluoride hydrogeochemistry of fluoride-rich areas is therefore of great importance in the epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease in Sri Lanka. A closer study of the distribution patterns of the groundwater types in Sri Lanka reveals that the underlying geology and the climate affect the chemical quality of water to a great extent. The wet zone of Sri Lanka consists for the most part of non-dominant cation types, Ca-HCO3 and non-dominant anion types.
