I. A Progress Report on Medical Geology Activities (2005)
II. 2007 GEM Meeting
Jose A. Centeno, PhD, GEM Officer
I. A Progress Report on Medical Geology Activities (2004-2005)
Introduction
The impact on human health by natural materials such as water, rocks, and minerals has been known for thousands of years but there have been few systematic, multidisciplinary studies on the relationship between geologic materials and processes and human health (the field of study commonly referred to as medical geology). In the past few years, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in medical geology. Geoscientists working with medical researchers and public health scientists have made important contributions to understanding novel exposure such as: exposure to toxic levels of trace essential and non-essential elements such as arsenic and mercury; trace element deficiencies; exposure to natural dusts and to radioactivity; naturally occurring organic compounds in drinking water; volcanic emissions, etc. An important step in elucidating the role of natural materials and natural events and health is to facilitate cooperation among geologists and medical specialists (including epidemiologists). During 2004-2005 several activities have been developed to promote and support these interactions. This report will describe four of the most significant activities on Medical Geology: the formation of the International Medical Geology Association, the creation of a U.S. National Research Council Committee on Earth Sciences and Public Health, the worldwide offering of short courses on Medical Geology, and the publication of the book “Essentials of Medical Geology”
1. The formation of the International Medical Geology Association.
One of the most important developments in 2004-2005 has been the emergence of an Association devoted to promoting Medical Geology globally. Formed in 2003, the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) was formerly launched on 2004, with nearly 1000 corresponding members from more than 70 countries. The Association maintains a website (www.medicalgeology.org) , produces a newsletter, sponsors short courses, organizes conferences and technical sessions at scientific meetings, provides support to help students and young professionals participate in the short courses and conferences, encourages national, regional and local working groups, and publishes books and articles on medical geology. In short, the new IMGA is responsible for promoting medical geology to all sectors of the global society. One of the principal objectives of the Association is to forge links between geoscientists and biomedical/public health researchers and between developed and developing countries with the goal of finding solutions to environmental health problems.
2. U.S. National Research Council Ad Hoc Committee on Earth Sciences and Public Health.
At present, there is a moderate level of activity in the medical geology field in the United States, primarily applied research activities within the Department of Interior (U.S. Geological Survey) and the Department of Defense (U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. These research activities address known earth science-related medical issues, both within the US and overseas (e.g., research at USGS-AFIP on impacts of coal, arsenic, and mercury on human health, public health effects of microbes transported by dusts; research at AFIP on environmental health impacts of trace elements, toxic trace metals, and metalloids). Despite the enthusiasm of individual researchers, it is clear that there is no overall consensus on the major high priority research issues. In addition, although the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health have recently begun a substantial inter- and intra-agency research initiative on the theme of “Ecology of Infectious Diseases”, at present time there is a little involvement of earth scientists in this initiative and it is unclear what role earth scientists should play.
By contrast, there are well-developed linkages between the medical and geoscientific communities in several other countries, e.g., medical schools in Sweden are beginning to include environmental medicine, including geologic aspects, as a standard component of the curriculum. It will be important to understand the dynamics of such linkages and any lessons learned that may be applicable to the US situation.
Towards this end, the US National Research Council has been tasked with the responsibility of creating a NRC Committee on Earth Sciences and Medicine to access the present status of research at the interface between medicine and earth science. The NRC Committee will advise on the high priority research activities that should be undertaken for optimum societal benefit. The NRC Committee will report on the most profitable areas for communication and collaboration between the earth sciences and medical communities, recognizing both the infectious disease and environmental components. The NRC Committee is specifically tasked to:
? Describe the present state of knowledge in the emerging field of medical
geology;
? Describe the connections between earth sciences and public health, addressing
both positive and negative societal impacts over the full range from large-scale
interactions to micro-scale biogeochemical processes;
? Evaluate the need for specific support for medical geology research;
? Propose ways to enhance collaboration between the medical and earth science
communities;
? Suggest how future efforts should be directed to anticipate and respond to
societal health needs and threats, particularly as a consequence of environmental
change.
The NRC Committee will complete its activities by the end of 2005, with the publication of a report addressing each of the areas listed above.
3. Medical Geology Short Courses – Spreading the Message
With the support of the IUGS, COGEOENVIRONMENT, the USGS, AFIP, SGU, ICSU and
the host countries, we have conducted short courses on medical geology all over
the world. These courses have been attended by more than one thousand students
and professionals with backgrounds in geoscience, biomedical/public health science,
environmental science, pathology, toxicology, epidemiology, geography, engineering,
chemistry, etc. The leaders of the short courses are Jose A. Centeno, Bob Finkelman
and Olle Selinus. In addition, local scientists have been invited to describe
medical geology work going on in their regions.
The aim of the short courses is to share the most recent information on the
relationship between toxic metal ions, trace elements, minerals, etc. and their
impact on the environmental and public health issues. The scientific topics
of the course include environmental toxicology, environmental pathology, geochemistry,
geoenvironmental epidemiology, extent, patterns and consequences of exposures
to toxic metal ions, and analysis.
The courses, generally 2 to 3 days in length, in some cases even up to one week,
are intended for anyone interested in the effects of natural materials on animal
and human health. An important aim of the courses is to provide the opportunity
for forming contacts and networks between professionals working in different
countries and on different aspects of environmental health issues. We have produced
a 300 page syllabus and a CD containing all of the PowerPoint images used in
the short course as well as supplementary material such as reprints of relevant
articles for participants to bring back home. It is anticipated that this material
will be used by the participants to conduct their own courses in medical geology.
In 2004, the short course was presented in Budapest, Hungary, Johannesburg,
South Africa, Ottawa, Canada, Perth, Australia and Lucknow, India. In 2005,
medical geology courses have been offered in Romania (March 2005), Brazil (May
2005), Uruguay (May 2005), Argentina (May 2005), Kentucky-USA (August 2005);
and it is scheduled for presentation in Turkey (September 2005), Egypt (September
2005), and Puerto Rico-USA (November 2005).
Requests for short courses in 2006-2207, have been received from Jamaica, Kenya,
Norway, Taiwan, Portugal, Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, India, Portugal, Spain,
Russia, China, Bangladesh, Poland, Thailand, and Indonesia.
4. The book on Medical Geology published in early 2005
"Essentials of Medical Geology" has now been published by Elsevier
(Academic Press). O. Selinus is chief editor, with 6 associate editors: Ulf
Lindh, Ron Fuge, Brian Alloway, Pauline Smedley, Jose Centeno and Bob Finkelman.
There are 60 distinguished authors from all around the world. About 50% are
geoscientists and about 50% are medics, veterinarians and other scientists.
The volume is 820 pages in full color.
The main objective is to emphasize the importance of geology in health and disease
in humans and animals. Some of the most important features:
? Addresses key topics at the intersection of environmental science and public
health.
? Developed by 60 experts from 20 countries and edited by professionals from
the International Working Group on Medical Geology.
? Includes 200+ color photographs and illustrations, chapter introduction and
references for further reading, and an extensive glossary
? Written for a broad audience, ranging from students, researchers, and medical
professionals to policy makers and the general public.
The book has received excellent, outstanding reviews which have been published
on the medical geology website (www.medicalgeology.org) and on the Elsevier
website at: http://books.elsevier.com/bookscat/links/details.asp?isbn=0126363412
II. A Proposal to Organize the 2007 GEM in the Caribbean Basin – Puerto Rico
A proposal to organize the 2007 GEM meeting on the island of Puerto Rico is presented to the Commission for its consideration. This meeting will be held in collaboration with several local and regional environmental and geosciences groups with interest in establishing programs for better management of the regional natural and environmental resources. A full proposal will be prepare and submitted to the GEM Commission later on 2005.