Human and Health

Human health status has been considered as a result of the influence of natural, anthropogenic and social factors of the environment. Historical information on the impact of chemical elements in the environment (soil, water, food products of vegetable and animal origin) on human health has been provided. The classification of chemical elements according to their content and biological role in the human body is given. The most important microelements for human health have been described in detail: fluorine, iodine, selenium. Their cycling in nature has been described, natural and anthropogenic sources, mechanisms of intake from the environment into humans and animals through the soil, drinking water, food have been indicated. Based on the results of the study of the content of these microelements in the environment, maps of their distribution in soil and groundwater have been presented. It has been proved that the deficiency of microelements in the diet of the population of Ukraine has been caused by the decrease of the content of microelements in soils, as well as environmental pollution with toxic substances, which reduces the availability of microelements to plants.