ReportGEM07

EARTH SCIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH – REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON MEDICAL GEOLOGY

Report Prepared for the IUGS Commission: Geosciences for Environmental Management
Report Period: October 2005 – October 2006
Region: Central America and the Caribbean Basin
Prepared by: Jose A. Centeno, PhD, FRSC
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
Washington, DC
Email: Centeno@afip.osd.mil

INTRODUCTION

Many of the determinants of human morbidity from emerging diseases can be construed – either directly or indirectly – as relating to environmental change. Little attention, however, has been paid to those diseases associated with the geological natural environment and processes, arguably because “medical geology” has only recently become an established and legitimate field of study. Assessment of human exposure to natural environmental hazards, however, is often the weakest link in most human health risk assessments. Medical geology – the science concerned with the impacts of geologic materials and geologic processes on animal and human health – is aimed at facilitating the development of interdisciplinary cooperation between public health and earth sciences.

Although valuable linkages do currently exists between the earth science and public health communities, the limited extend of interdisciplinary cooperation has restricted the ability of scientists and public health workers to solve a range of complex environmental health problems, with the result that the considerable potential for increased knowledge at the interface of earth science and public health has been only partially realized. As an IUGS-GEM initiative, medical geology has been enjoying a resurgence in recent years. Several books have been published within the past few years, numerous articles on medical geology have appeared in various journals, special journal issues have been dedicated to the development of medical geology in developing countries, and a number of symposia, keynote lectures and short courses have been devoted to this topic. On this report, we highlight the current state of medical geology as an evolution from an IUGS-GEM initiative, with particular emphasis on research priorities for the Caribbean and Central America region. Recent key activities and publications will be described, and future recommendations integrating GEM policy will be presented.

A. Medical Geology – An Evolution Of An IUGS-GEM Initiative

2006-2007 has been a remarkable year for the development of Medical Geology not only regionally through out the Caribbean and Central America, but also globally. The following key items are some of the most recent out-comes for 2006-2007
I. International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) which was originally launched in January 2006, has provided the necessary administrative and logistical support to advance interdisciplinary research and training at the interface of public health and earth science. The structure of IMGA has enable us to better respond to the opportunities, to rapidly pass information to those interested in Medical Geology issues, and to make crit-ical decisions that would beneﬁt the discipline.
Figure 1: IMGA Logo established in January 2006.
The Association is currently managed by an Executive Committee composed of: Olle Selinus (Chairman, Geochemist, Sweden) Bob Finkelman (Co-Chairman for Geoscience, Geologist, USA), Jose Centeno (Co-Chairman for Medical Science, Biomedical Research Scientist, USA), Kim-berley Chisholm (Secretary, Epidemiologist, Australia), and David Slaney (Treasurer, Public Health Researcher, New Zealand. In addition, we have appointed six Councilors to represent the broad geographic distribution of Medical Geology and the wide range of disciplines that are embraced by this topic. The Council-ors are: Bernardino Ribeiro de Figueiredo (Geologist, Brazil), Fiona Fordyce (Geo-chemist, UK), Zheng Baoshan (Geochemist, China), Calin Tatu (Medical researcher, Romania), Nomathemba Ndiweni (Veteri-nary Biochemistry, Zimbabwe), and Philip Weinstein (Epidemiologist, Australia).
II. U.S. National Research Council Committee on Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health.

The US National Academies and its National Research Council has recently published a report entitled “Earth Materials and Health – Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health” (The National Academies, 2007; ISBN 978-0-309-10470-8).

Figure 2: National Research Council Report on Earth Materials and Public Health (2007).

Working in closed collabo-ration with several environmental, public health and geosciences organizations, the U.S. NRC was asked to undertake an study to explore avenues for interdisciplinary research that would further knowledge at the interface between the earth sciences and pub-lic health disciplines (i.e., medical geology). To accomplish this task, the NRC set up a study committee composed of geoscientists, toxi-cologists, epidemiologists, and public health professionals. The committee was charged with the task of advising on the high priority research activities that should be undertaken for optimum societal beneﬁt, describing the most proﬁtable areas of communication and collaboration between the earth sciences and public health communities. On the final report, the NRC study committee was asked to:

. • Describe the present state of knowledge in the emerging ﬁeld of medical
geology.
• Describe the connections between earth science and public health,
addressing both positive and negative societal impacts over the full range
from large-scale inter-actions to micro-scale biogeochemical processes.
• Evaluate the need for speciﬁc support for medical geology research, and
identify any basic research needs in bioscience and geoscience required to support medical geology research.
• Identify mechanisms for enhanced collaboration between the earth science
and medical/public health communities.
• Suggest how future efforts should be directed to anticipate and respond to
pub-lic health needs and threats, particularly as a consequence of environmental change.

III. International Symposium on Medical Geology (May 18-19, 2006, Stockholm University, Sweden). This International Symposium was organized and sponsored by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on 18-19 May 2006 at Stockholm University. Thirteen articles were published on Ambio (A Journal of the Human Environment) 36(1), February 2007, highlighting medical geology research projects worldwide.

IV. Special Journal Publications on Medical Geology. In recent decades geoscientists and biomedical/public health scientists have built up a respectable archive of published papers that would fall under the umbrella of medical geology. The broad diversity of backgrounds of the scientists involved in medical geology research has resulted in papers being published in a multitude of journals in many different disciplines. Moreover, because medical geology problems are more prevalent in developing countries where the populations are more readily exposed to the natural environment, important papers have appeared in many different languages.

Recently, the International Medical Geology Association join efforts with Environmental Geochemistry and Health to produce two special issues of EGH dedicated to Medical Geology in Developing Countries. The first issue was recently published [Environ Geochem Health 2007;29:81-167]. The second special issue is in preparation and it is expected to be published on 2008. With these two special issues, we have attempted to bring together a series of papers dealing with some of the more important medical geology issues, with emphasis on their impacts on developing countries.

The recent publication of one major journal issue dedicated to earth sciences and health [Geosciences 2007, No. 5], reflects the increased attention being focused by researchers on important interactions between these fields. In this special issue of Geosciences, important research areas were discussed covering topics on trace elements, metals, metalloids, dust and other medical geology issues.

Summary for Part A. These recent developments on Medical Geol-ogy illustrates the foresight and importance of the IUGS and GEM initiative. By recognizing the need for this interdisciplinary field and by providing critical ﬁnancial and moral support during its formative years, the IUGS-GEM helped to foster this revolution and to contribute to its evolu-tion. The above listed publications that have resulted from the activities listed on items I-IV above provide to the reader a comprehensive description of current understanding of the relationship between the natural environment and public health, as well as numerous examples describing the connections and interactions between these fields.
B. Geoscience Management – Ongoing Research Projects in the Caribbean and Central America
In the Caribbean Basin as well as in Central America, a wide range of projects are being developed with particular emphasis at facilitating multidisciplinary interactions between geoscientists and biomedical/public health scientists. The type of interactions are working together to improve human health with the development of sound environmental and public health management policies. As an example, the attached two abstracts (reproduced with permission from the author(s)) are example of the type of research currently being conducted in this region and in which geoscience management has played a key role.

Research Project Number 1: Trinidad & Tobago
(this study has been accepted for publication on Special Issue of Environmental Geochemistry and Health – Medical Geology in Developing Countries – 2008)

Saharan Dust Clouds and Human Health in the English-speaking Caribbean: What We Know and Don’t Know

Michele A Monteil,
Senior Lecturer in Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
University of the West Indies- St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago

Correspondence to,
Dr. Michele A Monteil,
Senior Lecturer in Immunology,
Department of Para-Clinical Sciences,
Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex
Uriah Butler Highway, Mt. Hope, Trinidad, West Indies
Telephone: (868)-683-1352 or (868)-645-2645 ext. 2322
Fax: (868) -663-3797
Email: mmonteil@tstt.net.tt or mamonteil@tyahoo.com

Abstract

Dust clouds travel across the Atlantic to the Americas and the Caribbean islands. This long-range transport of dust leads to clouds that are enriched for small particles less than 10 microns aerodynamic diameter (PM10) which can reach the human airways. The dust clouds also bring pollen, microbes, insects and chemicals all of which could potentially have a negative impact on human health. This has led to a small number of retrospective studies being conducted on the islands of Barbados and Trinidad to look at possible associations between dust cover and acute asthma admissions to Emergency Rooms. The results have been conflicting. This review examines these studies, offers possible explanations for the differences in results and suggests that there is a need for a prospective Caribbean-wide study to assess fully any relationship between African dust clouds and human respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Research Project Number 2 (published with permission from the author):

LAND REMEDIATION FROM A URBAN CONTAMINATED LAND NEAR A SMELTING AREA IN MEXICO

(REMEDIACIÓN DEL TERRENO DE UNA PLANTA METALÚRGICA PARA SU INTEGRACIÓN URBANA)

Gutiérrez Ruiz, M. E.* (1), Villalobos Peñalosa M. (1), Romero F. M.(2), y Echeverría Iñaki (3).
(1) Grupo de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, LAFQA-Instituto de Geografía, UNAM, México
(2) Grupo de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, LAFQA-Instituto de Geografía, UNAM, México
(3) Volvox, S.A. México, D.F.

(*) ginny@servidor.unam.mx

ABSTRACT

This work summarizes the results of a 5 year study in 62.6 hectares of heavy metal-contaminated land. The place is located in the geographical center of the city of Monterrey, Mexico, where a smelting and refining plants have operated for almost 100 years. The study provided the basis of an interesting model for the re-use of an urban contaminated land, and is based on a logical framework of environmental factors that focuses on the geoavailability of toxic species, and on the identification and evaluation of the natural compartments affected, as well as on the potential routes of contaminant transport. The successful application of the model required the participation of a scientific and technical interdisciplinary team and the continuous feedback of environmental authorities, industry and community. The basic hazard parameters considered in the model in order to evaluate human risk factors and to propose control measures were: toxicity and reactivity (chemical properties), quantity and geo availability of toxic materials (physical properties mainly solubility). The work provided the guidelines for the cost-efficient clean-up of the area and the development of a construction project for residential use, which at present is an important prototype of urban rehabilitation. The main activities performed may be summarized as: a) chemical analysis of total and soluble concentrations of heavy metals and border elements in representative soil, subsoil (0-40 m) and groundwater; b) analysis of pH, electrical conductivity, and other routine parameters in representative soil, subsoil and groundwater samples; c) sequential extractions of arsenic and bioaccessibility measurements of arsenic and lead in selected samples; d) aquifer permeability analysis; e) evaluation of the design, construction and operation of a pre-existing disposal site of slag and paspurrias residues (calcium carbonate-arsenate) ; f) proposal of soil clean-up levels based on geoavailability measurements; g) remedial soil clean-up program including urban design criteria; and h) As analyses for control and monitoring. A key result of this study was the identification of a possible natural attenuation mechanism of As related to the formation of Zn-Pb arsenates of low solubility, in a similar fashion to what is observed in other alkaline sites polluted with mining and metallurgic wastes.

C. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations

The interface between the earth sciences and public health is pervasive and enormously complex. Collaborative research at this interface is in its infancy, with great potential to ameliorate the adverse health effects and enhance the beneficial health effects from earth materials and earth processes. The earth sciences and public health research communities share a responsibility and an obligation to work together to realize the considerable potential for both short-term and long-term positive health impacts. [NRC Report, Earth Materials and Health – Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health, 2007]. To accomplish this interdisciplinary approach of medical geology, the following recommendations are presented to GEM for discussion and approval:

1. Stimulate integration across disciplines in public health and earth sciences through:
a) Engaging the public in forums such as symposia, conferences, etc. (e.g., participating in IYPE activities)
b) Developing curriculum or reintegration of existing curricula (eg. Environmental medicine);

2. Generate medical geological risk assessment maps based on the collection of geological, geochemical, hydrological, biological, disease registry data including morbidity and mortality;

3. Use GIS to integrate epidemiological and disease registry information with biological, agricultural, meteorological, geological, hydrological, and environmental data including natural hazards;

4. Develop early warning systems to predict outcomes, and to enable data and information to be analyzed, compared, and evaluated regionally and globally to increase understanding of actual risks.

5. Develop public outreach to enhance community involvement and dialogue, and improve risk communication concepts to inform the public about ways to proactively prevent public health issues.
D. Important References (2007):

1. U.S. National Research Council Report on “Earth Materials and Health –
Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health” 2007; Washington, DC. ISBN: 978-0-309-10470-8.

2. Environmental Geochemistry and Health 2007;29(2):81-167. Special Issue Dedicated to Medical Geology in Developing Countries with eight articles.

3. Geosciences 2007;5:3-116. Special Issue published by BGRM and dedicated to geosciences and health.

4. Ambio (A Journal of the Human Environment) 2007;36(1):66-116. Special Issue dedicated to International Symposium on Medical Geology with 13 articles.

Other relevant publications:

Centeno JA, Tseng CH, van der Voet GB, Finkelman RB. Global Impacts of Geogenic Arsenic – A Medical Geology Research Case. Ambio 2007;36(1):78-81.

Tseng CH, Chong CK, Tseng CP, Centeno JA. Blackfoot Disease in Taiwan: Its Link with Inorganic Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water. Ambio 2007;36(1):82-84.

Centeno JA, Finkelman RB. Global Impacts of Geogenic Arsenic – A Medical Geology Perspective. Geosciences 2007;5:64-65.

Selinus O, Finkelman RB, Centeno JA. The Medical Geology Revolution. Geosciences 2007;5:108-109.

Finkelman RB, Centeno JA, Selinus O. Medical Geology – The Emergence of a New Discipline. Terra (In press, 2007).

Bunnell JE, Finkelman RB, Centeno JA, Selinus O. Medical Geology – A Discipline Emerging Globally. Geological Acta (2007, in press).

Selinus O, Finkelman RF, Centeno JA. The Medical Geology Revolution – The Evolution of and IUGS Initiative. Episodes 30(3); (in press).

Interview – Chemical Technology - Interview: Health and natural hazards (May 29, 2007). http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2007/06/jose_centeno_interview.asp

Prepared by José A. Centeno, MSc, PhD, FRSC
For IUGS Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM)
4th Annual Meeting – Atibaia, Brazil
October 20-21, 2007

Medical Geology Short Courses, Workshops, Conferences, and Special Lectures
(2006-2007)

2006:

I. I. Symposia, Workshops, Short Courses and Special Sessions at Scientific and Medical Conferences:

1. International Symposium on Medical Geology, 18-19 May 2006, Stockholm University, Sweden. Organized and sponsored by the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences.

2. International Workshop on Medical Geology – Metals, Health and the Environment, May 21, 2006, University of Coimbra, Lisboa, Portugal. Organized in conjunction with the 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, Lisboa, Portugal.

3. International Short Course on Medical Geology – Metals, Health and the Environment, May 25-27, 2006, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. Organized by the Department of Geology, IMGA, IUGS, SGS, AFIP, USGS.

4. Pre-Conference Short Course on Medical Geology – Metals, Health and the Environment, September 24, 2006. Organized in conjunction with the International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Beijing, China. Sponsored by IUGS, IMGA, AFIP, USGS, SGS, Institute of Geochemistry-PRC.

5. Special Session on Medical Geology – Health Effects of Dust and Particulate Matter. 9th Annual Force Health Protection Conference, August 9, 2006, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sponsored by AFIP, USGS, IUGS, SGS, IMGA.

6. Special Session on “Medical Geology and Public Health”. Third International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research, September 15-17, 2006. Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi.

7. Special Session on Medical Geology – Environmental Pathology Symposium on Respiratory Toxicology. XXVI International Congress of the Academy of Pathology, Montreal, Canada, September 18, 2006. Sponsored by AFIP, USGS, SGS, IMGA, IUGS.

II. Special Lectures:

1. “Medical Geology – An Emerging Discipline in Support of Environmental and Military Medicine” by Jose A. Centeno. April 20, 2006, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA.

2. “Global Impacts of Geogenic Arsenic – A Medical Geology Research Case” by Jose A. Centeno. May 18, 2006, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.

3. “Medical Geology and Health Risks from Long-Term Mercury Exposure” by Jose A. Centeno. May 22, 2006, 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, Lisboa, Portugal.

4. “Medical Geology – An Emerging Discipline in Environmental Medicine and Public Health” by Jose A. Centeno. September 7, 2006, 43nd Brazilian Geological Congress, Aracaju, Brazil.

5. “Topics on Medical Geology - Health Effects of Dust : The Role of Trace Elements and Compounds” by Jose A. Centeno. September 18, 2006, 26th International Congress of the Academy of Pathology, Montreal, Canada.

6. Medical Geology – The Missing Link Between Medicine and Earth Sciences” by Jose A. Centeno. September 24, 2006. 7th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry and Health (ISEGH 2006), Beijing, China.

7. “Metals, Metalloids and Human Health – Chronic Arsenic Poisoning as a Medical Geology Research Case” by Jose A. Centeno. Department of Geology, University of Texas at Arlington, November 9, 2006.

8. “Medical Geology and the Work of the US Armed Forces Institute of Pathology” by Jose A. Centeno. November 31, 2006. British Geological Survey, Nottingham, UK.

2007:

I. Symposia, Workshops, Short Courses and Special Sessions at Scientific and Medical Conferences:

1. Special Breakout Session on “Medical Geology, Physical Sciences and Health” Integrating Environment and Human Health – 7th National Conference on Science, Policy and Human Health. February 1-2, 2007, Washington, DC.

2. International Workshop and Short Course on Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology. May 7-8, 2007. Universidad de la Republica de Uruguay, Chemistry Faculty, Montevideo, Uruguay.

3. 2007 International Workshop on Medical Geology and Short Course on Metals, Health and the Environment. June 11-14, 2007. Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

4. Special Session on Medical Geology and Human Health. Forth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental and Health Research, September 16-19, 2007. Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi.

II. Special Lectures:

1. “Integrating Earth Science and Public Health – Examples of Successful Collaborations” by Jose A. Centeno. US Geological Survey 2nd National Conference on USGS Health Related Research, February 27 – March 1, 2007. Reston, VA, USA

2. “Natural History, Toxicology and Health Effects from Chronic Arsenic Exposure” by Jose A. Centeno. Department of Toxicology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. February 1, 2007.

3. “The Emerging Discipline of Medical Geology – The Missing Link Between Environmental Medicine and Earth Sciences” by Jose A. Centeno. Abdul K. Mohamed Distinguished Lecture Series, February 23, 2007, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi.

4. “Medical Geology and Human Health – The Role of Toxicology” by Jose A. Centeno. International Seminar on Toxicology and Chemical Safety. May 10-11, 2007. Latin American Association on Toxicology, Santiago, Chile.

5. “Medical Geology – An Emerging Discipline in Earth Science and Environmental Health” by Jose A. Centeno. XXVII Mining Convention and Exhibition Conference, Arequipa, Peru. September 13, 2007.

6. “Medical Geology, Environmental Medicine and Public Health” by Jose A. Centeno. San Agustin National University, Arequipa, Peru. September 12, 2007.

Jose A. Centeno, MSc, PhD, FRSC

I. List of Publications for 2006-2007 Only U (Partial Listing)

2007

Centeno JA, Tseng CH, van der Voet GB, Finkelman RB. Global Impacts of Geogenic Arsenic – A Medical
Geology Research Case. Ambio 2007;36(1):78-81.

Tseng CH, Chong CK, Tseng CP, Centeno JA. Blackfoot Disease in Taiwan: Its Link with Inorganic Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water. Ambio 2007;36(1):82-84.

Centeno JA, Finkelman RB. Global Impacts of Geogenic Arsenic – A Medical Geology Perspective. Geosciences 2007;5:64-65.

Selinus O, Finkelman RB, Centeno JA. The Medical Geology Revolution. Geosciences 2007;5:108-109.

Todorov TI, Ejnik JW, Mullick FG, Centeno JA*. Chemical and Histological Assessment of Depleted Uranium in Tissues and Biological Fluids. In Depleted Uranium – Properties, Uses, and Health Consequences. Miller AC, editor, CRC Press-Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, ISBN 0-8493-3047-5; 2007.

van der Voet GB, Todorov TI, Centeno JA, Jonas W, Ives J, Mullick FG. Metals and Health : A Clinical and Toxicological Perspective on Tungsten and Review of the Literature. Military Medicine 2007; 172(9):1002-1005..

Chesnick I, Todorov TI, Centeno JA, Newbury DE, Small JA, Potter K. Manganese-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Mineralization. Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2007;25:1095-1104.

Finkelman RB, Centeno JA, Selinus O. Medical Geology – The Emergence of a New Discipline. Terra (In press, 2007).

Centeno JA. Contributing author and Committee Member. Earth Materials and Health – Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health. National Academies 2007, National Research Council, Washington, DC, ISBN: 978-0-309-10470-8.

Gibb HJ, Kozlov K, Centeno JA, Poulin J, Jurgenson V, Kolker A, Conko KM, Landa ER, Panov BS, Xu H. Occupational Mercury Exposure at a Mercury Recycling Facility in Ukraine. (Submitted, Environmental Epidemiology, 2007).

Tchounwou PB, Centeno JA. Toxicologic Pathology. In Handbook of Preclinical Development (2007, in press).

Bunnell JE, Finkelman RB, Centeno JA, Selinus O. Medical Geology – A Discipline Emerging Globally. Geological Acta (2006, in press).

Selinus O, Finkelman RF, Centeno JA. The Medical Geology Revolution – The Evolution of and IUGS Initiative. Episodes 30(3);1-5:(September 2007).

U2006
Christian WY, Hopenhayn C, Centeno JA, Todorov TI. Distribution of Urinary Selenium and Arsenic Among Pregnant Women Exposed to Arsenic in Drinking Water. Environmental Research 2006;100:115-122.

Centeno JA*, Tchounwou PB, Patlolla AK, Mullick FG, Murakata L, Meza E, Todorov TI, Longfellow D, Yedjou CG, 2006. Environmental pathology and health effects of arsenic poisoning – A critical review. In Managing Arsenic in the Environment – From Soil to Human Health, Naidu R, Smith E, Owens G, Bhattacharya P, Nadebaum P (Eds.), CSIRO Publishing, Australia, chapter 17, p. 311-327. ISBN 1-57808-425-3.

Selinus O, Finkelman RB, Centeno JA. Human Health and Ecosystems. In Geology and Ecosystems (Zektser IS, Marker B, Ridgway J, Rogachevskaya L, and Vartanyan G, editors), Springer, ISBN 0-387-29292-6, Part IV, 2006.

Chin-Hsiao TsengP1P, Ching-Ping TsengP1P, Choon-Khim ChongP1P, Tong-Yuan TaiP1P, Jose A. Centeno*P P2006. Arsenic and Peripheral Arterial Disease in Taiwan. In Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, Vol. 9PthP. (Eds. Alpoim MC, Norais PV, Santos MA, Cristovao AJ, Centeno JA, Collery P. ), John Libbey Eurotext, Paris. 2006 pp 70-74.

Mosley C, Todorov TI, Tseng CH, Centeno JA.* 2006. Characterization of Arsenic Species by Raman Microspectroscopy. In Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, Vol 9Pth P. (Eds. Alpoim MC, Norais PV, Santos MA, Cristovao AJ, Centeno JA, Collery P. ), John Libbey Eurotext, Paris. 2006 pp 70-74.

Finkelman RB, Belkin HE, Centeno JA. Health Impacts of Coal – Should we be concerned? Geotimes 2006;30:31-35.

II. Scientific Contributions and Research Programs Highlighted by the Scientific News Media:

Interview – Chemical Technology - Interview: Health and natural hazards (May 29, 2007). http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2007/06/jose_centeno_interview.asp

U
III. Abstract of Original Research Papers Published in Proceedings at National and International Meetings (Partial Listing for 2006-2007 Only).
U2007
Todorov TI, Gray MA, Sarafanov A, Kadjacsy-Balla A, Centeno JA. Comparison between the
Cadmium, Zinc, Selenium, Iron, and Arsenic Content if Fresh and Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Specimen. 2007 European Plasma Conference, Italy.

Todorov TI, Ejnik JW, Squibb K, McDiarmid M, and Centeno J.A.. Uranium Analysis in Blood by
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. 2007 European Plasma Conference, Italy.

Lyles MR, van der Voet GB, Zhang L, Sobecki TM, Centeno JA. Chemical and Microspectroscopic Characterization of PM20-40 and PM>10 dust particles. Conference on Toxicology, Naval Health Research Center Detachment, Ohio. April 2007.

Van der Voet GB, Todorov TI, Centeno JA, Jonas W, Ives J, Mullick FG, Elemental composition of surgically removed metal fragments. Annual Force Health Protection Conference, Louisville, Kentucky. August 2007.

Van der Voet GB, Sarafanov A, Todorov TI, Centeno JA, Jonas W, Ives J, Mullick FG. Clinical and Analytical Toxicology of Dietary Supplements: A Case Study. Annual Force Health Protection Conference, Louisville, Kentucky. August 2007.

Sarafanov A, Todorov TI, Balla AK, Gray M, Macias V, Centeno JA. Analysis of Trace Metals in Paraffin-Embedded Prostate Tissue Specimens Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass-Spectrometry. Annual Force Health Protection, Louisville Conference, Kentucky. August 2007.

Centeno JA. Health Effects of Natural and Mineral Dust: The Role of Trace Elements and Compounds. Fourth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research. Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi. September 17-19, 2007.

2006
Squibb KS, Todorov TI, Centeno JA, EngelhardtP PS, McDiarmidP PMA. Blood Uranium Concentration as a
Biomarker of Human Exposure to Depleted Uranium (DU) in Gulf War I Veterans with Embedded Fragments. Society of Toxicology, March 2006.

Centeno JA, Finkelman RB, Selinus O, Mullick FG. Global Impacts of Geogenic Arsenic – A Medical
Geology Research Case. In Book of Abstracts: International Symposium on Medical Geology, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. May 2006.

Kolker A, Conko K,P PKoslov K, Panov Y, Gibb H, Centeno JA, Korchemagin V, and Gunchenko V.
Environmental and Occupational Exposure to Inorganic Mercury in Gorlovka, Ukraine. 8PthP International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, Madison, WI, August 2006.

Centeno JA. The Emerging Discipline of Medical Geology – Health Risks from Long-Term Mercury Exposure. In Book of Abstracts 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine. Lisbon, Portugal, May 21-24, 2006, pp 35.

Tchounwou PB, Centeno JA, Patlolla A. Arsenic Toxicity and Carcinogenesis: A Health Risk Assessment and Management Approach. In Book of Abstracts 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine. Lisbon, Portugal, May 21-24, 2006, pp 46.

Gray MA, Centeno JA, Todorov TI, Slaney DP, Nacey JN. Environmental Exposure to Cadmium, Zinc and Selenium and Risk of Prostate Cancer. In Book of Abstracts 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine. Lisbon, Portugal, May 21-24, 2006, pp 61.

Mosley C, Centeno JA, Todorov TI. Characterization of Arsenic Species by Raman Microspectroscopy. In Book of Abstracts 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine. Lisbon, Portugal, May 21-24, 2006, pp 139.

Todorov TI, Gray MA, Kadjacsy-Balla A, Mullick FG, Centeno JA. Cadmium, Zinc, Selenium and Arsenic
Content in Fresh and Paraffin-Embedded Prostate Tissues. In Book of Abstracts 9th International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine. Lisbon, Portugal, May 21-24, 2006, pp 143.

Centeno JA. Medical Geology – An Introduction and Overview. In Book of Abstracts 9th Annual Force Health Protection Conference. New Mexico, USA, August 6-11, 2006, pp. 73.

Todorov TI, Potter K, Reedy E, Centeno JA. Laser-ablation ICP-MS analyses – elemental and chemical mapping of trace and toxic metals in pathological and forensic specimens. In Book of Abstracts 9th Annual Force Health Protection Conference. New Mexico, USA, August 6-11, 2006, pp. 174.

Centeno JA, Cook A, Weinsteinn, P, Mullick, FG, Finkelman RB, Selinus, O. Health Effects of Natural and Mineral Dust – The Role of Trace Elements and Compounds. In Book of Proceedings XXVI International Academy Congress of the International Academy of Pathology, Symposium on Environmental Pathology – Respiratory Toxicology, Montreal, Canada, September 16-21, 2006; CD media publication.

Centeno JA, Cook A, Weinstein P. Environmental Toxicology and Exposure to Natural Dust – The Role of
Trace Elements. Chinese J Geochem 2006;25(suppl.):222.

Selinus O, Finkelman RB, Centeno JA. The Medical Geology Revolution. Chinese J Geochem
2006;25(suppl.):81.