DOC PREVIEW
WOU ES 473 - Study Guide

This preview shows page 1-2-19-20 out of 20 pages.

Save
View full document
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 20 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 20 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 20 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 20 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 20 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience

Unformatted text preview:

EARTH SCIENCE Session Chair: Steve Taylor Session Title: Medical Geology: A Globally Emerging Discipline at the Crossroads of Earth Science and Public Health Location: Werner University Center Posters 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., WUC Pacific Room Steve Taylor (faculty presenter) Title: 1. Session Overview: Effects of Geological Environments on Human Health Abstract: This theme session involves presentation by 19 WOU Earth Science students enrolled in ES473 Environmental Geology, spring term 2010. The focus of the session is on the emerging specialty discipline of medical geology, the study of the effect of geological phenomena on animal and human health. Since 2001, this branch of geological science has experienced a renaissance and transformation from studies that were heretofore generically referred to as “environmental health”. The geological community has rightfully staked a claim to its component of the public health field with representation of the discipline in international scientific societies (e.g. International Association of Medical Geologists, Geologic Society of America Health Division), the National Academies of Science (National Research Council, 2007, “Earth Materials and Health : Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health”), and prominent scientific publications (e.g. Oxford University Press, 2003, “Geology and Health: Closing the Gap”; Elsevier, 2005, “Essentials of Medical Geology”). The health effects of Earth materials and geological processes are well established. Recent newsworthy examples include the disease effects spawned in the aftermath of the January 2010 Haitian earthquake, arsenic toxicity associated with groundwater supplies in the vicinity of Roseburg, Oregon, and increased cancer rates in uranium-bearing terrains of the southwestern U.S. This theme session provides an overview of the science of medical geology and case study applications from around the world. The range of topics include: introduction to medical geology as a profession, health effects of Earth materials, medical impacts of water quality, biogeochemical interactions and nutrient anomalies, anthropogenic degradation of geological environments, application of geochemistry to environmental health issues, geospatial analysis as a tool in epidemiology, health hazards associated with volcanic eruptions, global dust flux and respiratory problems, impacts of radon-arsenic-selenium-mercury-iodine on physiological function, carcinogenic associations with coal and fibrous minerals, geological effects on animal health, and geophagy (human ingestion of soil materials as a dietary supplement). Taylor Note: Please list abstracts in program in the order presented. The numbers in the poster titles are intended, please retain in the final edited version.11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., WUC Pacific Room Kelsii Dana Faculty sponsor: Steve Taylor Title: 2. Medical Geology: Introduction and Overview of an Emerging Discipline Abstract: Medical Geology is an ancient and re-emerging field of science that combines elements of earth science and public health. The focus of medical geology is to decipher the impacts of geologic phenomena and other environmental factors on human health and quality of life. Significant issues in medical geology today include toxic and deficient levels of essential and nonessential minerals, exposure to radioactive elements, industrial contribution to toxic exposures, dust, and geologic events such as volcanic eruptions. The goals of medical geology are to identify sources of health hazards in the geologic environment and prevent or diminish their ill affect on humans.11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., WUC Pacific Room Angela Devenberg Faculty sponsor: Steve Taylor Title: 3. Medical Geology: Example Applications and Research Directives Abstract: Medical geology can affect humans and animals directly and indirectly. Examples include release of elemental constituents into the environment from geology sources. Arsenic, Molybdenum and Radon are a few of the compounds that pose health risks. These elements are found in drinking water and soil. Some of the health risks associated with these elements includes skin disease, reproductive problems, and lung cancer. Other phenomena include natural hazards like earthquakes and volcanoes, which may cause catastrophic deaths or long-term chronic health conditions. Geologic health hazards, from gas clouds to lahars, may cause a wide variety of health problems ranging from asthma to death. This paper will examine the spectrum of applications in the emerging field of medical geology. Geologists play an important role by recognizing what actions need to be taken to reduce and prevent the risks associated with geologic health hazards. Through educational outreach programs, geologists work to increase public awareness of environmental health issues.11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., WUC Pacific Room Jody Berg Faculty sponsor: Steve Taylor Title: 4. Earth Materials at the Foundation: Geological Factors that Effect Human Health Abstract: The Earth’s crust is comprised of rock material, which in turn is composed of inorganic silicate minerals. Rock material decomposes at the Earth’s surface to form regolith via chemical and physical weathering. Regolith forms the basis of soil and the fundamental framework for life in the critical zone, at the interface of the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere. Soil forms via physical, chemical and biological transformations over time. As result of pedogenic process, elements are released into surface and groundwater, and subsequently become available as part of macro- and micro-nutrients in the food chain with plants at the foundation. Essential macro-elements derived from the lithologic environment include Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, K, P, and S. Lesser abundant, but still important nutrients include Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, and Se. Deficiencies and surpluses of nutrients in the food chain effect physiological function of both animals and humans. Thus an understanding of geological variables in terrestrial ecosystems is essential for regional public health studies. This paper examines the effects of Earth materials and related near-surface processes on human health.11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., WUC Pacific Room Mac Marshall Faculty sponsor: Steve Taylor Title: 5. Water Quality and Public Health Abstract: Water is one of the most important resources on this planet, without it life


View Full Document

WOU ES 473 - Study Guide

Download Study Guide
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view Study Guide and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view Study Guide 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?