Therapies for environmental element deficiencies and toxic excesses

Therapies for environmental element deficiencies and toxic excesses have been only partially perfected for plants, animals, and man, and require much additional study. Chemical and natural fertilizers are frequently applied irrationally to the soil because of incomplete information on (1) nutrient deficiencies and availabilities from the soil; (2) imbalances caused by chemical fallout; (3) translocation mechanisms from soil to plant; and (4) the effect of runoff on water composition. Range-fed domestic and wild animals seem to present more problems than confinement-fed animals because of the lack of quality control of their rations. Apparently, man reflects environmental deficiencies and toxic excesses more than do animals because of man's longer life, free choice of diet, and poor quality control of food. Leaf and hair analyses provide very useful methods of evaluating regional element imbalances and therapies for these imbalances. Further developments of these therapies will provide more and better food and will serve to correct the large geographical differences in life expectancy in the United States. Any large-scale therapy needs constant re-evaluation and improvement, as is illustrated by current problems with air, water, soil, and foodstuffs.