Medical Geology Newsletter

July 2012

MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER

International Medical Geology Association

Newsletter No. 20 ISSN 1651-5250

HIGH CHAPTER ACTIVITIES: THE LARGEST NEWSLETTER YET

Inside this issue:

MESSAGE FROM THE 2 CHAIRMAN

MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN 3 THE NEWS: OLD AND NEW

FROM THE EDITOR 4

CHAPTERS 5 REPORTS 10 AWAITING APPROVAL 26 POSSIBLE CHAPTERS 27

NOTICES 28

PAST EVENTS 29

UPCOMING EVENTS 32

SHORT ARTICLES 34 Participants of the first conference in medical geology in the Republic of Bel- arus. Minsk, BelNIGRI, February 28, 2012. ARITCLE: OPEN-PIT MIN- 50 ING IN ARGENTINA

NEW IMGA CONFERENCE LOGO See page 4. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Friends and Colleagues on Medical Geology:

Welcome to the 20th edition of the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) Newsletter, which marks a significant achievement on the development of medical geology worldwide. Since its inception in 1999, our Newsletter has aimed at keeping our global IMGA community informed about the most recent research advances on this emerging multidisciplinary field of medical geology. Today, our goals remain the same, as has been amply demonstrated by the increased number of publications, conference and educational activities, and research programs conducted by our Chapters worldwide; many of these activities are high- lighted throughout this 20th edition of our Newsletter.

With over 15 IMGA Chapters worldwide, IMGA is continuously expanding its membership, reaching over 320 members during the first part of 2012. Today, we are proud to welcome our newly established chapters in South Africa (under the leadership of Prof. Hassina Maori, University of Johannesburg), Denmark (led by Dr. Peter Appel), N.I.S. (led by Dr. Iosif Volfson), United States (led by Ms Brittany Merola, Duke University), and Mexico (led by Prof. Hector Rubio, University of Chihuahua). Working together with our regional Chap- ters, IMGA will be contributing actively to several international upcoming conferences in 2012 including the 34th International Geological Congress to be held in Brisbane, Australia in August 2012, the 9th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry to be held in Aveiro, Portugal in August 2012, and the 2012 SINO-European Symposium on Environment and Health to be held in Galway, Ireland in July 2012. Addition- ally, plans for the organization of our 5th International Conference on Medical Geology (MEDGEO2013) are well underway. The dates for MEDGEO2013 have been announced for the week of August 25-29, 2013 in Washington, DC. Please visit our website for the most recent updates on our main conference.

This year we extend a warm welcome to the International Registry of Pathology (IRP) as one of our affiliated organizations and sponsors of our MEDGEO International Conference Series. IMGA and IRP share a common bond in our missions to pursue global education opportunities and outreach for the medical, earth sciences, environmental and public health communities. As part of this collaboration, we are proud to announce the establishment of a research grant program to be titled IMGA Gardner Research Grants (in honor and mem- ory of our good friend and IRP President, Dr. William A Gardner), to support research opportunities for graduate students interested in medical geology. More information on this IMGA-IRP program will be posted soon in our website at http://www.medicalgeology.org .

With these developments and successes in mind I want to express my appreciation and the appreciation of the As- sociation to Dr. Eduardo Santini (Argentina), our medical councilor for the last two years. Eduardo’s dedicated and committed service to our Association was outstanding in establishing the Argentine Chapter on Medical Geology and contributing to the development of medical geology in South America. At the same time I wish to welcome Dr. Diego Fridman (Argentina), as our incoming medical councilor who will join the Executive Committee and help to continue the upward trend of IMGA. Diego’s training as a physician with expertise in clinical and epidemiological research will certainly stimulate our interactions with the biomedical public health community.

As we continue our trajectory for another successful decade of Medical Geology advances, I would like to thank each one of you for the opportunity that you have provided to me to serve as the Chairman of IMGA and to have had one of those rare opportunities in life to be part of something truly unique and genuinely special.

Respectfully,

Jose A. Centeno, Chairman, International Medical Geology Association

Page 2 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN THE NEWS: OLD AND NEW!

From: Karin Ljung Björklund, [email protected]

For fun, I checked "Medical Geology" on Google's Ngram and found a reference to it from as early as 1834, in Vol. 25 of the Americal Journal of Medicine:

“Medical Geology - At some future day I have no doubt that we shall discover that there is such a science as medical geology viz that certain strata are as foundation ground for human habitations much more liable to be affected with certain causes of diseases than others and we shall probably not only know the fact but ascertain the cause and the remedy. The county of Norfolk has long been famous or infamous for the astonishing number of patients affected with the stone. nothing has hitherto been done to investigate the cause. The earth I have long since been persuaded contains within itself agents destined to affect future changes of the solid surface and also of the atmosphere .The pestilence and earthquake which reigned together for seventy years during the reign of Justinian and depopulated the fairest portion of the civilized world were doubtless the result of certain subterranean laws which regulate its internal economy laws known only to its creator.” http://books.google.se/books? id=gOhQAAAAYAAJ&hl=sv&hl=sv&pg=PA182&img=1&zoom=3&sig=ACfU3U1TOlzM7mA8SHWRUzVtj KRYa4qsvA&ci=159%2C581%2C749%2C486&edge=0

From: Bob Finkelman

We made the cut!

In the January 2012 issue of Earth magazine the readers were asked: How can geoscentists help society? The fifth most common response was: “By warning of health dangers from natural resources”.

In my opinion this response represents a significant increase in the awareness and acceptance of Medical Geol- ogy by the geoscience community. By the way, the first four responses were predicting future climate change, finding and developing natural resources, predicting and warning about natural disasters, and mitigating climate change through geoengineering. Two issue that have been central to geology for centuries and two dealing with the hot topic of climate change.

Bob

MEDICAL GEOLOGY ON FACEBOOK Members who use Facebook should become friends of Medical Geology. https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Medical-Geology-Association-IMGA/217954944942790

This Facebook site will be used to provide information on MEDGEO2013 in Washington.

Page 3 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A 20th edition of the Medical Geology newsletter may not be a major milestone, but it can probably be considered to be significant. The newsletter has grown in size and this is the largest edition so far, much of the increase being due to the Chapter Reports, ably compiled by Fiona Fordyce.

This edition has new section, Short Articles, that lets IMGA members know what others are doing. A Short Article does not have to be a completed piece of work and I encourage members to submit notes to say that “I am working on this …”. Reports of completed work and longer articles are also welcome. The Editorial Com- mittee has also discussed the idea of thematic newsletters and we are open to ideas.

Anyone submitting material for the newsletter should read Section 8 on Newsletter Policy in the Medical Ge- ology Policy Book at: http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/imga/Policy%20book.pdf. The Editor would like to note a couple of points from the policy:

Although some review is carried out, the newsletter is, well … a newsletter, and does not claim to be, and is not a fully refereed journal.

It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that material submitted is not under copyright or that a copyright holder has given formal permission to republish in the newsletter. Further information will be provided in the next newsletter.

Published articles may be referenced using the IMGA Newsletter ISSN Number as “ISSN: 1651-5250”.

The newsletter is scheduled to be published twice a year, in June and December, although publication may be delayed for various reasons. (for this issue, partly by the editor’s personal affairs following on his retirement!) Early submission is encouraged.

Submission date for Publication date Articles Other material Newsletter March 15th April 15th June 15th Newsletter September 15th October 15th December 15th

David Elliott, IMGA Newsletter Editor, [email protected]

IMGA CONFERENCE LOGO

IMGA is proud to announce the newly adapted logo for our International Confer- ence on Medical Geology. The logo was originally unveiled during the 4th Inter- national Conference on Medical Geology in Bari, Italy, and it is a contribution from the Italian Chapter on Medical Geology. The logo was designed based on an artistic expression from Giuseppe (Beppe) Fiore (right). The bottom part of the logo (in brown colour) symbolizes our planet Earth (Geology), the four semi- curved lines (in green) coming off the Earth symbolize the four elements (plants, water, animals and air), gaining their strength from the Earth. Symbolizing the medical side is the Rod of Asclepius (or the Aesculapius) displayed in the centre of the logo and demonstrating a direct and dynamic interaction with the Earth.

Page 4 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS

In order to expand and develop the IMGA community world-wide, IMGA is encouraging the establishment of Local Chapters (i.e. groups) within individual countries/regions. The aim is that IMGA Local Chapters are established by local groups of enthusiasts interested in Medical Geology. The IMGA bylaws state that: Chapters are groups within a region bringing together people in an area (city, country, etc.) or in an organization (university, government agency, etc.) interested in Medical Geology. Chapters are a way to "locally" facilitate the growth of Medical Geology. The concept of developing "Chapters" is a fundamental basis by which larger societies strengthen their regional and eventually their national development.

All members of the Chapter must be members of the Association. A Chapter must consist of at least five (5) paid members. To be recognized as a formal Chapter, the Chapter Leader must send an e-mail request to the IMGA Local Chapters Special Advisor who will put the request forward to the IMGA Board. The request must include the following information:

 The name, address, contact details and research interests of the person leading the Chapter  The name, address, contact details and research interests of any other office holders in the Chapter, for example the Chapter may wish to have a Secretary or Deputy Leader, etc.  The name, address, contact details and research interests of the IMGA paid members of the Chapter

Upon approval by the IMGA Board a certificate of recognition will be issued to the Chapter – the Local Chap- ters Special Adviser will contact the Local Chapter Leader to arrange this.

Local Chapters can contact the Local Chapters Special Adviser at any time with questions for the Board or for assistance from the Board.

PAYMENT OF DUES AND LOCAL CHAPTER FUNDING Members of Chapters must pay individual dues to IMGA Central and fill in a membership application form. All dues are payable by the 1st of January each year. Details of how to join and pay the dues are given on the IMGA web-site:

 Joining Information and Application:  Register to Join IMGA here: http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/join/page_join.html  Then go to the Pay your Dues section on the front page of the web-site to actually join IMGA:  Dues Information: http://www.medicalgeology.org/index.htm

IMGA Central sets aside 25% of the dues from Chapter members for use by the Local Chapter. The Local Chapter can apply to use these funds on IMGA Board approved activities. Applications should be made by the Chapter Leader via e-mail to the IMGA Local Chapters Special Adviser.

Local Chapters can also apply to the IMGA Board for additional support for specific activities such as conferences and meetings, etc. Applications should be made by the Chapter Leader via e-mail to the IMGA Local Chapters Special Adviser.

In some countries it may be difficult to pay dues via international methods to IMGA Central. In these circumstances, please e-mail the IMGA Local Chapters Special Adviser to inform IMGA of these problems. In these situations, the IMGA Board may decide to advise a Local Chapter to collect and retain the IMGA dues locally. However, all uses of the locally-held funds must first be approved by the IMGA Board. In these circum-

Page 5 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS Cont. stances, Local Chapter leaders should make their requests for using the funds by e-mail to the Local Chapters Special Adviser who will forward them to the IMGA Board. Once approved and the activities/use of the funds have been carried out, a report of the activities must be submitted to the IMGA Board via e-mail to the Local Chapters Special Adviser. Members who pay their dues locally to their Local Chapter should still complete the IMGA membership application form on the IMGA website and indicate on the form that they have paid their dues locally in the Research Interest Box. At the moment only members in Iran are allowed to pay by this method.

In addition, Local Chapters who retain their own funds must provide a list of their paid members and a set of accounts to the IMGA Board to maintain IMGA Central records. The Local Chapters Special Adviser will contact the Local Chapter Leader to request this information twice a year. The information should include:

 The name, address, contact details and research interests of all members of the Chapter who have paid their dues locally  A list of accounts showing all income and all expenditure on the locally-held Chapter funds.

LOCAL CHAPTER REPORTING All affiliated organisations, including Chapters, must send regular reports for the IMGA newsletter. The newsletter is published twice a year in June and December. Each Chapter is required to send a short report that includes:

 A list of all the members of the Chapter and their research interests.  A description of the Chapter and its activities and Medical Geology issues in their country.

In addition, the IMGA newsletter is an ISBN listed publication and strongly welcomes articles describing research topics or projects that members of Local Chapters are involved with. These will be reviewed by the IMGA Newsletter editorial panel before publication.

The Local Chapters Special Advisor will contact Chapter Leaders to request their newsletter contributions before the deadline for submissions.

USEFUL RESOURCES FOR LOCAL CHAPTERS Publications and promotional materials such as Medical Geology newsletters, posters and fliers to help Local Chapters raise awareness about Medical Geology and recruit new members are available on the IMGA website: http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/publications/page_Publications.htm http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/imga/IMGA-flyer.pdf http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/imga/imga-poster.pdf

Information on teaching courses on Medical Geology around the world is also available on the web-site: http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/members/activities/Courses%20and%20education/Education%20Medic al%20Geology.pdf

IMGA also runs Short Courses on Medical Geology. These are normally run in conjunction with Scientific Conferences. If a Local Chapter would like to host a Short Course, an application form is available on the

Page 6 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS Cont.

IMGA web-site. IMGA is also in the process of developing an on-line short course in Medical Geology, more information will be available on the web-site once this is established. http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/courses/page_courses.html

IMGA is also establishing a student travel fund to support IMGA student members’ attendance at the biennial IMGA MEDGEO conference. At the moment, IMGA is calling for donations to this fund on the IMGA website; all donations will be gratefully received. More information on how to apply to this fund will be available in the coming months on the IMGA web-site: http://www.medicalgeology.org/index.htm

IMGA is also in the process of establishing a student research grant. More information on this fund and how to apply to it for support will be available on the IMGA web-site once it is set-up.

In this newsletter we extend a very warm welcome to the new IMGA Local Chapters in Denmark lead by Dr Peter Appel; NIS lead by Dr Iosif Volfson; South Africa, lead by Prof Hassina Mouri and the USA, lead by Brittany Merola. These Chapters join the Local Chapters that have already been established successfully in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Iran, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Portugal, Sweden, Taiwan and Uruguay. IMGA extends a warm welcome to the Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy (BAGG), which has just joined IMGA and is awaiting Board approval to act as the IMGA Lo- cal Chapter in Bulgaria. IMGA also extends a warm welcome to the newly formed Mexican Local Chapter, which is also awaiting Board approval. Several of these Chapters provide reports of their activities in this newsletter. A list of Local Chapter Contacts is provided at the end of this newsletter article. IMGA members are also hoping to establish Local Chapters in the near future in Australasia, Cyprus, Kenya and Nigeria, please see the contact list at the end of this newsletter article.

If you would like to organise an IMGA Local Chapter or apply for IMGA Committee approval for a Local Chapter, please contact:

Fiona Fordyce IMGA Local Chapters Special Adviser British Geological Survey West Mains Road Edinburgh EH9 3LA UK [email protected]

Page 7 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS

LOCAL CHAPTERS MAY 2012 Iran (2008) Leader: Dr Abdolmajid Yaghubpur, Prof Economic Geology, ESTABLISHED CHAPTERS Department of Geology, Tarbiat Moalem University, Tehran The date on which the certificate was presented is shown in 15614, Iran. Tel/Fax: 0098-21-22400112 brackets after the Chapter name. [email protected]

Argentina (2010) Italy (2010) Leader: Dr Alberto Filomeno, M.D., Pathologist, Central Mili- Leader: Prof Saverio Fiore, Institute of Methodologies for Envi- tary Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Paraguay 2302. 11 ronmental Analysis- CNR, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy Floor, Of 1. C1121ABL. CABA, Buenos Aires Argentina Adjunct Professor of Mineralogy, University of Basilicata [email protected] [email protected] Secretary: Dr Diego Fridman, Director, Research Department, FUNCEI, Buenos Aires, Argentina Japan (2010) [email protected] Leader: Prof Hisashi Nirei, The Geo-pollution Control Agency Interntional Union of Geological Science (IUGS) Geoscience Bolivia (2009) for Environmental Management (GEM) Japan Branch, 1277-1 Leader: Rafael Morant National Institute of Occupational Medi- Kamayauchi, Motoyahagi, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture 287- cine, La Paz, Bolivia 0025, Japan [email protected] [email protected]

Brazil (2008) Macedonia (2008) Leader: Dr Bernardino Figueiredo, Inst. of Geosciences, Univer- Leader: Dr Tena Sijakova, Faculty of Mining and Geology, St sity of Campinas, PO Box 6152, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil. Cyril and Methodius University, Goce Delcev 89 2000 Štip, [email protected] Republic of Macedonia Joint Leader: Dr Cassio Silva, Geological Survey of Brazil, Av. [email protected] Pasteur, 404 22,292,040, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil [email protected] Portugal (2010) Leader: Dr Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, Geosciences Department, Colombia (2008) University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Leaders: Ana Maria Rojas Medical Geol. Research Group, Uni- [email protected] versidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colom- bia), Apartado Postal 140455 de Chía, 11001 Chía, Colombia. Sweden (2011) [email protected] Leader: Dr Olle Selinus, IMGA Co-Chair for GeoScience. Ricardo Ballesteros, Medical Geology Research Group Univer- [email protected] sidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia), Carrera 30 Calle 45, 11001 Bogotá, Colombia Taiwan (2010) [email protected] President: Prof Jiin-Shuh Jean, Professor of Hydrogeology, Dept of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Ghana (2008) Tainan City 70101, Taiwan Leader (currently inactive): Dr Emmanuel Arhin, Dept. of Earth [email protected] and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uni- Secretary-General: Professor Ying-Jan Wang, Toxicologist, versity for Development Studies, Navrongo Campus, P.O. Box Department of Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung 24, Navrongo, UER, Ghana and University of Leicester, Geol- University, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan ogy Dept., University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK [email protected]. [email protected]; [email protected] Chairman Conference and Lecture Committee: Prof. Kou-Chin Current Leader: Dr Richard L.K. Glover, Dept. of Applied Biol- Hsu, Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng ogy, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Univ. for Development Stud- Kung University, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan ies, Navrongo Campus, P.O. Box 24, Navrongo, UER, Ghana [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +233 2447 53349, +233 2081 74175 and +233 2652 67145 Uruguay (2010) Chapter Secretary: Mr. Emmanuel O. Oyelude, Department of Leader: Prof Nelly Manay, Dept. of Toxicology and Environ- Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Sci- mental Hygiene, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uru- ences, University for Development Studies, Navrongo Campus, guay P.O. Box 24, Navrongo, UER, Ghana [email protected] and [email protected] [email protected] or [email protected] Tel: +233 2466 81133, +233 2614 00399 and +233 2762 26873

Page 8 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS

USA (2012) Mexico Chairperson: Brittany Merola, Nicholas School of the Environ- Leader: Prof. Hector Rubio Arias, University of Chihuahua, ment, Duke University, North Carolina, USA Chihuahua, Mexico [email protected] [email protected] Deputy Chairperson: Laura Ruhl [email protected] POSSIBLE CHAPTERS Treasurer/Secretary: Alex Eisen-Cuadra Australasia NEW LOCAL CHAPTERS Contact: Jochen Bundschuh, Professor of Hydrogeology, Na- All awaiting certificate presentation tional Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of South Queensland, West Street Denmark Toowoomba, South Queensland, QLD 4350, Australia. Leader: Dr Peter W.U. Appel, Geological Survey of Denmark [email protected] and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, Denmark [email protected] Cyprus Secretary: Birgitte Guldberg Hansen, GEUS. Contact: Constantia Achilleos, Cyprus University of Technol- [email protected] ogy, Limassol, Cyprus [email protected] NIS Leader: Dr Iosif Volfson. Chair of Medical Geology Division, India Russian Geological Society Contact: Dr Pradip Wesanekar, Dept of Geology, Science Col- [email protected] lege, Nanded, India [email protected] South Africa Leader: Prof Hassina Mouri, Dept of Geology, Univ. of Johan- Kenya nesburg, Auckland Park Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa Contact: Prof Beneah Odhiambo, Moi University, P. O. Box [email protected] 3900, Eldoret – 30100, Tel: +27-11-559-4706 Kenya Secretary: Refilwe Shelembe, [email protected] [email protected] Nigeria HONORARY CHAPTER Contact: Dr Jolly Osadiaye, City Medical Consultants, 44 Ta- fawa Balewa Crescent, Geology and Health Division, Geological Society of America Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. Leader: Dr Syed Hasan, Chair, Geology & Health Division, [email protected] Geological Society of America [email protected] Turkey Certificate Presented 2011 Contacts: Tuncay Delibasi, MD, Assoc. Prof. Chief of the De- partment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ankara Diskapi IMGA CHINA CONTACT Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Chairman of Contact: Prof Zheng Baoshan, Institute of Geochemistry, Chi- the Turkish Medical Geology Association. nese Academy of Sciences, China [email protected] [email protected] Umit Demirel, Turkish Medical Geology Association [email protected]

UK CHAPTERS AWAITING APPROVAL Contact: Dr Mark Cave, BGS [email protected] Bulgaria Leader: Prof Krasimira Staneva, Bulgarian Association of Ge- omedicine and Geotherapy (BAGG), Sofia University, hk G. Delchev, bl. 7A, B 1404 Sofia, Bulgaria [email protected]; staneva_ [email protected] tel. +359 899 000676, tel. +359 2 8587687 www.bagg-bg.org

Page 9 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS

ARGENTINA (Argentine Chapter IMGA) Report from Dr Eduardo Santini-Araujo M.D and Chapter Secretary Dr Diego Fridman.:

Chapter Leader: Alberto Filomeno, M.D., [email protected] Paraguay 2302. 11 Floor, Of 1. C1121ABL. CABA, Buenos Aires Argentina

Secretary: Diego Hernán Fridman, [email protected]

Members: Eduardo Santini-Araujo, [email protected] Romina Flavia Aromando, [email protected] Daniel Olmedo, [email protected]

The Argentine Chapter is very active and has 5 members. These comprise dentists; one specialized in Biomate- rials for medical and dental use and medical doctors, one specialized in infectious diseases and two patholo- gists.

The Argentine IMGA Chapter organized its Annual Meeting in July 2011. This was held in the Central Army Hospital, with 25 people registered. The meeting had as its central topic the pathology produced by biologi- cally-used materials.

The Executive Committee, Dr Diego Fridman have been involved in the program “El Debate” of Adrian Paenza. Public Television July 2011 Reprinted by the newspaper Pagina 12. Http://www.pagina12.com.ar/ daily/special/subnotes/173406-54943-2011-07-31.html.

Members of the Chapter also participated in the following activities: Dr Diego Fridman, “Speaker IV Meeting in Space” Environmental Health and Environmental Management “Professional liability, health and environmental” September 7, 2011. The “4th International Conference on Medical Geology. Bari, Italy. Dr. Diego Fridman. 20-25 September 2011. Presentation of the paper: “Evaluation of Health impact in an Open-Pit Mining Area in Catamarca, Argentina” Abstract RA1. Fri.P2. Dr Diego Fridman, as professor in Specialization in Mining Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences. University of Buenos Aires. Sep- tember 28, 2011. Topics on Medical Geology matters. Continues in 2012. Documentary Video Presentation of the Report of Catamarca, November 14, 2011. Drs. Daniel Stamboulian, Miguel Borruel, Edu- ardo Santini-Araujo, Diego Fridman. The “First International Forum for Sustainable Communication Mining and Press. November 16, 2011. Dr. Diego Fridman. Recording Program Note: “Words more words less” TN, Dr. Diego Fridman. February 22, 2012. Reprint by Print Media and Senado TV Radio Interviews. http://www.docsalud.com/ article / 2943 / g eolog% C3% ADa-m% C3% A9dica-by-m% C3% A1s-health-on- the-ground. Invitation from the Provincial Ministry of Health to present the report of Catamarca in the context of the social dialogue on mining. Meeting with the Governor of the Province. Various radio interviews and print media. TV Channel 9, in La Rioja. Dr Diego Frid- man. The National Congress as part of the national dialogue on mining. Senado TV, Radio Interviews. Dr. Diego Fridman Presentation of the Catamarca study at the Ministry of Health before an audience of Deputies, medical directors of all provincial hospitals, doctors and health workers. Travel to La Rioja 12 and March 13, 2012. Dr Diego Fridman. Publications for the community (in Spanish): http://www.docsalud.com/articulo/2943/geolog%C3%ADa-m%C3%A9dica-por-m%C3%A1s-salud-sobre-la-tierra http://www.docsalud.com/articulo/2942/la-miner%C3%ADa-un-desaf%C3%ADo-para-la-geolog%C3%ADa-m%C3%A9dica http://www.docsalud.com/articulo/1339/afirman-que-no-se-pudo-comprobar-compromiso-de-la-salud-por-la-actividad-minera-a- cielo-abierto The Committee is also in the process of creation of The Argentine Association of Medical Geology, local des-

Page 10 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS ignation of the IMGA’s Argentine Chapter. The statute has already been drafted and we have the members to constitute the committee and the Audit Commission. The documentation will be submitted to the PRC (General Inspection of Justice) between April-May 2012. This should be discharged by June-July. The Argentine Division of the International Academy of Pathology – Executive Committee chaired by Dr. Gustavo Lembo Micó- from now will share its headquarters in the 6th floor in the 1131 of Arenales St. Buenos Aires City, with the IMGA’s Argentine Chapter.

BRAZIL Report from Chapter Leaders Dr Bernardino Figueiredo and Dr Cassio Silva:

The Brazil Chapter is very active and has 18 members, mainly environmental scientists. The Chapter is led by Dr Bernardino Figueiredo (University of Campinas) and Dr Cassio Silva (Geological Survey of Brazil). Re- cently Dr Figueiredo has been working and travelling between Campinas (UNICAMP) University and San- tarém a new university in the Amazon.

In September 2010, during the 45th Brazilian Geological Congress (Belém, Pará State), a short course on Medical Geology was run by Bernardino Figueiredo and Eduardo De Capitani. At the same congress, a Sym- posium on Medical Geology was held and Dr Geoffrey Plumlee (USGS) was the key note speaker.

In 2011 a number of Brazilian students, academics and professionals attended the 4th International Conference on Medical Geology in Bari. During the conference, Dr Cassio Silva announced the English translated edition of the book "Medical Geology in Brazil" published in 2006 (In Portuguese). In addition, Dr Silva was invited as a lecturer to the Brazilian Congress of Pathology.

In 2012, Dr Silva will be attending the 9th International Environmental Geochemistry Symposium in Aveiro, Portugal and presenting the work "Assessment of exposure to chemical elements through the consumption of waters and vegetables for a group of patients on routine dialysis"

At the 2012 Brazilian Geological Congress, to be held in Santos (São Paulo State) in October, Bernardino Fi- gueiredo and Dr Thomas Campos will chair the Scientific-Technical Session on Medical Geology by invitation of the organizers.

Furthermore, the National Research Program in Environmental Geochemistry and Medical Geology, running in the Geological Service of Brazil-CPRM, started in 2003 with the objective of evaluating the nationwide chemical composition of the bedrock, soils and surface waters and groundwater in order to provide a multi- user dataset and information to search for new mineral deposits, natural fertility for agriculture, natural sources of contamination and anthropogenic chemicals considered harmful to human health, animals and plants. It is aimed also be a database of analytical results and will be posted on the website (www.cprm.gov.br); constitut- ing a milestone for environmental monitoring studies in the country. This project represents a pioneering ini- tiative in Brazil and was structured according to the criteria of the International Geochemical Mapping - IGCP- 259 and Global Geochemical Baselines projects of the IUGS-IAGC. During the Project activities between 2003 and March 2012 approximately 30,542 samples of surface water and of drinking water, stream sediments and soils in the states of Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Goiás, Holy Spirit, Rio de Janeiro, Para, Ceara, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Sergipe and Roraima were collected, covering a land area of 2,540,000km2; 30% of Brazilian territory. Field surveys were completed in the states of Pernambuco, Ceara, Minas Gerais,

Page 11 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS

Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. In those states, studies are at the stage of data processing and preparation of state analytical geochemical atlases. Preliminary results delimit areas of known mineralization, potential areas for mineral exploration, macro and micro nutrients for agriculture, as well as areas with anthropogenic interfer- ence liable to generate environmental health problems, especially in densely populated regions. From the second half of 2012, it is expected to intensify the geochemical survey in the Amazon region in order to increase geochemical knowledge in this area.

COLOMBIA Chapter Name: Colombia Report from Chapter Leader Ana María Rojas: [email protected] Apartado postal 140455 de Chía – Cundinamarca, Colombia Deputy Leader , Ricardo Ballesteros, [email protected]

Chapter Members: Ricardo Ballesteros Pharmaceutical Chemist Clays with pharmaceutical uses. Ana María Rojas Geologist Human Health effects of Hg. Carolina Londoño Geologist Medicinal uses of mineral resources, antibacterial clays. Carlos Valencia Student of medicine Geohelminths, Interactions between geology and parasites. Cristina Garzón Biologist Toxicity and medicinal uses of geological resources Daniel Esteban León Food engineer Human health effects of metals, specially mercury and analytic instrumentation.

In the last year the chapter worked towards getting stronger in its foundations, and to create nodes or partner- ships with governmental institutions. It recognizes important health problems in Colombia, like the effects of mercury in gold mining communities and has established important contacts with gold artisanal mining associations, ONUDI, mining-agricultural centres and local environmental authorities for executing projects in the future.

The group has identified important health problems in Colombia that have a relationship to geology, such as toxic levels of mercury found in gold mining communities of Chocó, South-eastern Antioqueño and South of Bolivar. The group has been working in contacting key people in order to execute projects and to raise awareness regarding the need for conducting medical geology studies in affected areas.

We have identified potential strategic partners and people interested in medical geology.

We are planning to conduct a medical geology course in the year 2013, we have now started looking for funding. We have been writing proposals to fund 2 projects and when the results are announced we will let IMGA know.

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DENMARK (Denmark) Report from Chapter Leader Dr Peter Appel, [email protected] Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark

Secretary Birgitte Guldberg Hansen, GEUS, [email protected]

Chapter Members: John Tychsen Geophysicist Small-scale mining environmental impacts Jørgen Kystol Chemist Mercury analysis Tue Kofod Geology student Mercury pollution Lars Lund Soerensen Geologist Environmental problems caused by mining Birgitte Guldberg Hansen Geologist Iodine problems in groundwater Søren Munch Kristiansen Geologist Iodine problems in groundwater Denitza Voutchkova Geologist Iodine problems in groundwater Anja Leth Geology student Small project on fluorine in Greenland Corey Cohn Post Doc National Research Centre for the Working Environment Mineral-induced formation of reactive oxygen species

After building up interest in establishing a Danish Chapter, the IMGA Danish Chapter was launched at a Medical Geology workshop held in Copenhagen on 7th February 2012 at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

See PAST EVENTS for the workshop on Medical Geology at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) February 7th 2012, Abstracts can be found in the SHORT ARTICLES section of this newsletter.

GHANA Report from Chapter Secretary Emmanuel Oyelude: Chapter Leaders: Dr Emmanuel Arhin and Dr Richard LK Glover Chapter Secretary: Emmanuel Oyelude

The chapter has 15 members. These are mainly environmental scientists (Earth Scientists/Geologists, Chem- ists/Biochemists, Biologists/Microbiologists). Dr Arhin is currently studying a Post Doc in the UK. Therefore, although he is still the Leader of this Chapter he is currently not the active head of the Chapter. Dr Glover is the current head of the Chapter. However, he has just commenced sabbatical leave in South Africa. In addition, some of our members have either changed job or relocated. Therefore, the Ghana chapter of IMGA is going through a period of re-organisation over the next few weeks.

IRAN Report from Parisa Pirouzfar and Chapter Leader Dr Abdolmajid Yaghubpur:

The Iranian Chapter is very active and has 12 members. These are a mixture of environmental geoscientists and medical professionals. The Chapter has been involved in the following activities:

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Establishment of a Workgroup on Medical Geology Research Our intention for this workgroup is to provide a qualified platform for collaboration between experts in different fields of Medical Geology. GSI’s Medical Geology group, certain authorities of Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Department of Environment, medical research centres, Water and Sewage Engineering Companies, Atomic Energy Organization, Environmental Research Centre and Veterinary Medicine Organiza- tion will take part in this workgroup to achieve the following goals:  Reducing effects of geogenic risk factors on health  Raising public awareness about impacts of geological factors on health  Drawing attention of decision-makers to the geosciences as a major effective factor on public health  Improving society's public health as a major factor in reaching sustainable development  Cooperation among geoscientists and medical scientists

Organizing a Symposium on Medical Geology In cancer week, the Symposium on Medical Geology was held at the Geological Survey of Iran (GSI) on 1st February 2012, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Medical geology addresses a wide range of researchers, and many university professors and students participated in the symposium which covered four main subjects, geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, radio-geoecology and geobotany.

Assignment of Agreement between Ministry of Health and Medical Education and Ministry of Industry, Mineand Trade (GSI) Ministry of industries and mines and Ministry of Health and Medical Education signed a cooperation agreement to participate in medical geology researches. Considering the widespread geo-related health problems in Iran, both sides declared their readiness for identification of potentially hazardous areas for human health; organizing seminars and training and short courses in the medical geology field; providing a qualified platform for collaboration between geologists and medical experts; preparation of national scale plans in dealing with medical geology; aiming to determine the ability of study-research of the organization according to the recent needs of the country and exchange of technical knowledge between geology and health fields.

ITALY Report from Chapter Leader Dr. Prof. Saverio Fiore

The Italian Chapter is composed of 12 members, mainly environmental scientists. It is involved in 5 projects related to the environment: smectites and tremolite experimental dissolution by synthetic lung fluids; synthesis of zeolites for environmental remediation; micro and nanominerals in particulate matter; health and environmental risk induced by natural occurring asbestos; presence of potentially toxic elements induced by water- rock interaction. A website will be published this year and the Chapter logo will be presented to the academic authorities next October.

JAPAN Report from Chapter Leader Prof Hisashi Nirei

The Japan Chapter is very active and has 12 members. These are a mixture of environmental geoscientists and chemists. The Chapter organises the very successful Annual Symposium for Geo-pollution Science, Medical Geology and Urban Geology and publishes the Journal on Geo-pollution Science, Medical Geology and Urban

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Geology. Prof. Hisashi and his colleagues are also very involved in radioactivity assessments following the Tohoku earthquake in March last year. They have been surveying radioactive geopollution and the behaviour of radioactive dust material from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant No.1. The IMGA Committee sends its sym- pathy and support to the Japan IMGA Chapter following the terrible earthquake and continuing environmental problems in Japan and very much appreciates the work that the IMGA Local Chapter is doing in very difficult circumstances.

NIS Report from Chapter Leader Iosif Volfsen

See PAST EVENTS section of this newsletter for a report on the first conference devoted to the problems of medical geology in the Republic of Belarus was held in Minsk in BelNIGRI (Belorussian Scientific-research Geological Prospecting Institute) on February 28, 2012.

Almost ten years have passed from that day, when IGCP project 454 on Medical Geology became known in Russia. This remarkable event took place on a warm day, May 3, 2002, during the impressive introductory lecture of Dr. Robert Finkelman (IMGA Co-Chair for geoscience then) on Medical Geology, at the Vernadsky State Geological Museum in Moscow. Today, we are proud to introduce the results of research carried out by scientists from the N.I.S. medical geology community within the framework of IMGA N.I.S. Regional Divi- sion, which recently confirmed its status in IMGA as the N.I.S Local Chapter. The upcoming symposium in Medical Geology within 34th IGC (Brisbane, August, 5-10, 2012) programme will give a response on many complicated questions considered by medical geology and main among them is, where to go further? N.I.S. scientists are going to present at this symposium. It is known that currently three abstracts of medical geologists of NIS have been submitted for presentation at the 34th IGC scientific programme.

PORTUGAL (Portuguese Chapter on Medical Geology) Report from Chapter Leader Prof Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, [email protected] Departamento de Geociências. Universidade de Aveiro. Campus de Santiago. 3810-193 Aveiro. Portugal

Vice-President Delfim Fernando Gonçalves dos Santos, [email protected] Treasurer Deolinda Maria dos Santos Flores Marcelo da Fonseca, [email protected] Secretary João Baptista Pereira Silva, [email protected] Secretary António Jorge Gonçalves de Sousa, [email protected] Secretary Luís José Proença Figueiredo Neves, [email protected]

Chapter Members: Eduardo Anselmo Ferreira da Silva Geochemistry Geochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, Medical Geology Deolinda Fonseca Geochemistry Organic Petrology and Geochemistry; Medical Geology José Manuel Marques Hydrochemistry, Thermal and Mineral Waters; Groundwater contamination; Isotope Hydrology Maria Orquídia Neves Geochemistry Environmental Pollution; Uranium; Health Risk Assessment Luis Ribeiro Geostatistics Hydrogeology Amelia Paula Reis Geochemistry Contamination and its repercussions in public health; Geostatistics; Multivariate Data Analysis; Medical Geology

Page 15 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS

Carla Patinha Geochemistry Contamination and its repercussions in public health; Geostatistics; Multivariate Data Analysis; Medical Geology Ana Rita Gonçalves Neves Lopes Salgueiro Geostatistics Contamination in mining areas and its repercussions in public health; Geostatistics; Multivariate Data Analysis; Medical Geology Mariana Rebelo Mineralogy, Clay mineralogy and geochemistry; Healing Clays/ thermal muds João Teixeira Environmental Health Environmental Health Luis Neves Geochemistry Radon and natural radioactivity; Medical Geology Alcides Pereira Geochemistry Radon and natural radioactivity; Medical Geology António Sousa Geostatistics Geostatistics Fernando Tavares Rocha Mineralogy Mineralogy/Geomaterials Marina Cabral Pinto Geochemistry Environmental Geochemistry; Medical Geology Manuela Inácio Geostatistics Environmental Geochemistry; Medical Geology Paula Ávila Geostatistics Environmental Geochemistry; Medical Geology Denise Terroso Mineralogy Peloids; Medical Geology Ana Carina Santos Mineralogy/Biology Peloids/Maturation process João Silva Geosciences Geological Engineering; Medical Geology Maria Helena Amaral Pharmacy Pharmacy Delfim Santos Pharmacy Pharmacy Maria Ferreira Pharmacy Pharmacy Maria Manuela Silva Geochemistry Geochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, Igneous Petrology Zahra Feghhi Environmental effects on human health Carla Candeias Geologist Environmental Geochemistry; Medical Geology

Other activities of Chapter members are reported on in other sections of this newsletter, in:

 PAST EVENTS: Conference "Termalismo na Ilha Graciosa: Valências Terapêuticas e Oportunidades de Desenvolvimento" (Hydrotherapy in Graciosa Island: Valences and Therapeutic Development Opportuni- ties) and the Course “GEOFARMÁCIA e COSMÉTICA” (Geo-pharmacy and Cosmetics) was held in Gra- ciosa island (Azores) at 29 and 31 March 2012.

 UPCOMING EVENTS section of this newsletter on the 9th International Symposium in Environmental Geochemistry (9th ISEG), to be held in Aviero, Portugal.

 NOTICES: the book, “ ‘Porto Santo’ Island: Unique Natural Health Resort”.

PUBLICATIONS BY OF THE PORTUGUESE IMGA MEMBERS Book Chapters CABRAL PINTO MMS., FERREIRA DA SILVA EA., SILVA MMVG., MELO-GONÇALVES P., HERNANDEZ R. MARINHO AP., INÁCIO M., ROCHA F. Mapping of Estimated Geochemical Background Values of some harmful metals in Soils of Santiago Island (Cape Verde archipelago). Book titled 'Progress on Heavy Metals in the Environment. Ref.:Ms. No. MARALTEBOOKS-D-11-00053R1 Dr Bernd Markert Book Editor. Accepted 8 Jan 2012. In press

Publications in International Journals CABRAL PINTO MMS., FERREIRA DA SILVA EA., SILVA MMVG., MELO-GONÇALVES P. Estimated Background Values of some harmful metals in stream sediments of Santiago Island (Cape Verde) in book "Geochemistry", ISBN 978-953-308-2-4. Accepted in 6 Jan 2012. In press. REBELO M., VISERAS C., LOPEZ-GALINDO A., ROCHA F., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., 2011. Characterization of Portuguese Geological

Page 16 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS

Materials to be used in Medical Hydrology. Applied Clay Science, 51(3): 258-266. DOI:10.1016/j.clay.2010.11.29. IF. 2.784. REBELO M., VISERAS C., LOPEZ-GALINDO A., ROCHA F., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., 2011. Rheological and thermal characterization of peloids made of selected Portuguese geological materials. Applied Clay Science 52, 219-227. DOI:10.1016/j.clay.2011.02.018.

Accepted and Submitted Publications in International Journals COSTA C., REIS AP., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., ROCHA F., PATINHA C., DIAS AC., SEQUEIRA C., TERROSO D., 2012. Assessing the control exerted by soil mineralogy in the fixation of potentially harmful elements in the urban soils of Lisbon, Portugal. Environ- mental Earth Sciences 65 (4): 1133-1145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1362-8 PATINHA, C., REIS, A.P., DIAS, C., CACHADA, A., ADÃO, R., MARTINS, H., FERREIRA DA SILVA, E. AND SOUSA, A.J., 2012. Lead availability in soils from Portugal’s centre region with special reference to bioaccessibility. Journal of Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 34:213–227. DOI: 10.1007/s10653-011-9431-1 SANTOS, I., REIS, A.P, FERREIRA DA SILVA, E., PATINHA, C. DIAS, AC. Definition of areas of probable risk to human health posed by As and Pb in soils and ground-level dusts of the surrounding area of an abandoned As-sulphide mine in the north of Portugal: part 1. Submitted to the Environmental Earth Sciences. VALENTE S., COELHO C., RIBEIRO C., GUIHARD-COSTA A-M., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., INÁCIO M. 2012. Environmental pollution and human health: exploring adverse pregnancy outcomes and food and water consumption in Estarreja municipality. Revista Sud- Ouest Européen. Ed. Philippe Dugot. Submetido (em revisão).

Proceedings CABRAL PINTO MMS., SILVA MMVG., NEIVA AMR., 2011. Pollution of water related with an abandoned uranium mine and health effects. Geomed 2011. 4th International Conference on Medical Geology. Bari, Italy, 20-25 September 2011 CACHADA A., PATO P., ROCHA-SANTOS T., PEREIRA ME., DA SILVA EF., DUARTE AC., 2011. Levels and sources of persistent organic pollutants and potentially toxic elements in two contrasting Portuguese urban areas. EcoHCC11. International Conference on Ecohydrology and Climate Change. 16-17 September 2011. Tomar, Portugal. CANDEIAS C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., SALGUEIRO AR., ÁVILA PF., COELHO P., TEIXEIRA JP., 2011. Modelling the impact of Panasqueira mine on the ecosystems and human health: a multidisciplinary approach. Abstracts Book ICOEH 2011 – International Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health 2011, Porto (Portugal), 17 a 19 de Outubro de 2011, pp.125. FERREIRA MRP., SANTOS D., SILVA JBP., AMARAL MH., LOBO JMS., GOMES, JHCA., GOMES, CSF., 2011. Development of an anti- cellulite peloid containing bentonite of Porto Santo island, Madeira archipelago. Geomed 2011, IV International Conference on Medical Geology, Bari-Italy, pp. 232. GOMES CSF., 2011. Are peloids medicines?. Geomed 2011, IV International Conference on Medical Geology, Bari-Italy, pp. 195. GOMES CSF., SILVA JBP., 2011. Are mud and mud therapy synonymous of peloid and pelotherapy. European Clay Conference EUROCLAY 2011, Antalya-Turkey, pp. 141. GUIHARD-COSTA AM., FERREIRA DA SILVA E ., INACIO M., VALENTE S., 2011. Etude spatio-temporelle des effets d’une pollution chimique d’origine industrielle sur la santé materno-infantile. Evaluation du facteur alimentaire. 1836ème Journées de la Société. GUIHARD-COSTA AM., VALENTE S., INÁCIO M., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., 2011. Le projet Pollprenat : impact à long terme d’un envi- ronnement pollué sur la santé materno- infantile. XXXème Colloque du groupement dês anthropologistes de langue française (GALF 2) INÁCIO M., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., PEREIRA V., GUIHARD-COSTA A-M., VALENTE S., 2011. Evaluation of urinary arsenic in children and their mothers living near an industrial conplex (estarreja, Portugal). In: C. Belviso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th International Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, September, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522-041-9: 202. INÁCIO M., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., PEREIRA V., GUIHARD-COSTA AM., VALENTE S. 2011. Accumulation of potentially harmful elements in soils and forage plants in the Industrial area of Estarreja, Portugal. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 13, EGU201: 135. INÁCIO M., SILVA E., PEREIRA V., 2011. Mobility and bioavailability of some potentially harmful elements around an industrial contaminated environment. Goldschmidt 2011 - Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts. Mineralogical Magazine, August, 14-19. Prague, Czech Republic: 1083 PATINHA C., REIS AM., DIAS C., ROCHA F., COSTA C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., SEQUEIRA AC., TERROSO D., 2011. The role of clay minerals in metal mobility and oral bioaccessibility in the clay fraction of urban soils from Lisbon (Portugal). Cape Verde. Book of Abstracts of the European Clay Conference - EUROCLAY 2011 Turkey, 26 June -01 July: 176. PATINHA C., REIS AM., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., DIAS A., BARTOLOMEU S., SOUSA A., CACHADA A., BATISTA M., PRAZERES C., ROCHA F., COSTA C., SEQUEIRA C., TERROSO D., FIGUEIRA R., SÉRGIO C., SALGUEIRO R., NEVES O., DUARTE A., 2011. Introducing "UrbanEnvironisbon2008" a GIS-platform for environmental and human health data management. Programme and Abstracts, 25th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium 2011, 22-26 August 2011, Rovaniemi, Finland, 170p. PATINHA C., REIS AM., REIS C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., ROCHA F., COSTA C., SEQUEIRA AC., TERROSO D., 2011. Zn, Pb and As

Page 17 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS oral bioaccessibility of Lisbon urban soils. In: C. Belviso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th International Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, Septem- ber, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522-041-9: 229. PATINHA C., REIS AM., WRAGG J., CAVE M., DIAS C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., 2011. A different perspective on oral bioaccessibility of Cu, Zn and Cr in Lisbon and Northampton urban soils In: C. Belviso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th International Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, September, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522-041-9: 230. PATINHA C., REIS AP., DIAS AC., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., BATISTA MJ., PRAZERES C., 2011. Site-specific factors that modify oral bioaccessibility of Pb in the solid phase: the case study of urban soils and street dusts of Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract Book of the UGI2011 - Regional Geographic Conference United and Integrated with the World, 14th-18th November 2011. (CD-Rom). PINTO MS., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., MELO R., 2011. Heavy metals in road dusts of Oporto City, Portugal - Preliminary Data. Collo- quium of African Geology (CAG23), University of Johannesburg, January 8-14/2011. QUINTELA A., TERROSO D., ALMEIDA S., CORREIA A., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., FORJAZ V., ROCHA F., 2011. Maturation of Portu- guese geomaterials for pelotherapy application. In: C. Belviso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sci- ences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th International Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, September, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522-041-9: 113. REBELO M., ROCHA F., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., 2011. Suitability of Portuguese clays for medical hydrology applications. In: C. Bel- viso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th Interna- tional Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, September, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522- 041-9: 116. REIS A., PATINHA C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., DIAS A., BARTOLOMEU S., SOUSA A., CACHADA A., BATISTA M., PRAZERES C., FI- GUEIRA R. SÉRGIO C., SALGUEIRO R., NEVES O., DUARTE A., 2011. Environmental assessment of Ni and Cd in topsoil and ground- level dust from urban playgrounds, public gardens and parks from Lisbon, Portugal. Programme and Abstracts, 25th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium 2011, 22-26 August 2011, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland, 67p. REIS AP., COSTA C., ROCHA F., PATINHA C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., TERROSO D., DIAS AC., 2011. Using factorial analysis to infer the control exert by the soil mineralogy in the soil geochemistry: the urban soils of Lisbon, Portugal. Book of Abstracts of the Euro- pean Clay Conference - EUROCLAY 2011 Turkey, 26 June -01 July: 177. REIS AP., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., PATINHA C., DIAS AC., BARTOLOMEU S., SOUSA AJ., CACHADA A., BATISTA MJ., PRAZERES C., FIGUEIRA R., SÉRGIO C., SALGUEIRO R., NEVES O., 2011. Environmental assessment of Pb, As and Cr concentrations in topsoil, ground-level dusts and moss from urban playgrounds, public gardens and parks from Lisbon, Portugal. In: C. Belviso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th International Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, September, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522-041-9: 117. REIS AP., PATINHA C., COSTA C., ROCHA F., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., DIAS AC., SEQUEIRA C., TERROSO D., 2011. The control exert by soil mineralogy in the mobility of potentially harmful elements to human health in the urban soils of Lisbon, Portugal. In: C. Bel- viso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th Interna- tional Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, September, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522- 041-9: 118. REIS AP., PATINHA C., DIAS AC., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., ROCHA F., COSTA C., SEQUEIRA C., TERROSO D., 2011. Relationship between Pb oral bioaccessibility and its solid-phase distribution in urban playgrounds, public gardens and parks from Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract Book of the UGI2011 - Regional Geographic Conference United and Integrated with the World - UGI2011, 14th-18th No- vember 2011. (CD-Rom) REIS AP., PATINHA C., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., ROCHA F., DUARTE A., CACHADA A., SOUSA A., BATISTA M., SHEPARD T., 2011. Urbsoil-Lisbon: geochemical survey of Lisbon urban soils: a baseline for future human health studies. Research@UA. Universidade de Aveiro: 22. SALGUEIRO AR., ÁVILA PH., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., PEREIRA HG., 2010. Splitting and mapping soil samples in the vicinity of Panasqueira Mine according to harmful effects on human health. X Congresso de Geoquímica dos Países de Língua Portuguesa e XVI Semana de Geoquímica, Porto 28 de Março a 1 de Abril de 2010. SALGUEIRO AR., ÁVILA PH., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., PEREIRA HG., 2011. Spatial estimation of soil samples according to harmful effects on human health: the case of Panasqueira mine (Central Portugal). In: C. Belviso, S. Fiore and M.L. Giannossi (Editors). Geological and Medical Sciences for a Safer Environment, GeoMed2011 - 4th International Conference on Medical Geology, Book of Abstracts, Bari - Italy, de 20 a 25 de Setembro de 2011, Digilabs Pub., Bari, Italy ISBN: 978-88-7522-041-9: 130. SANTOS D., AMARAL MH., GONÇALVES, M., LOBO, JS., ALMEIDA, F., GOMES, CSF., 2011. Development, characterization and comparative study of silicone-based formulations containing both potassium mica and titanium dioxide. Geomed 2011, IV International Conference on Medical Geology, Bari-Italy, 249.

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SANTOS I., FERREIRA DA SILVA E., PATINHA C., DIAS A., REIS AP., 2011. Impacto ambiental da actividade da Mina do Pintor: avaliação do risco ambiental para a saúde humana de As, Cd e Pb nos solos. Livro de Actas, VIII Congresso Ibérico de Geoquímica, XVII Semana de Geoquímica, Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal, Volume I, pp.159-163.

SOUTH AFRICA Report from Local Chapter Leader Prof Hassina Mouri:

In February 2012, the IMGA Executive Committee approved the request to establish a chapter of Medical Ge- ology in South Africa under the leadership of Prof. Hassina Mouri from the Department of Geology, Univer- sity of Johannesburg (UJ). We have, so far, eight active members, with expertise in various fields of Earth and Medical Sciences. Special welcome to our new members Sabine Verryn (Senior Scientist –XRD, Chair IMA 2014-South Africa), Refilwe Shelembe (PhD student-UJ) and Portia Munyangane (MSc students UJ). The South African Chapter is the 2nd chapter of Medical Geology on the African Continent. At the same time, Has- sina Mouri was elected Chair of the Membership Committee and member of the student committee of IMGA.

Amongst the various activities planNed in South Africa regarding development of medical geology, the following ARE under consideration:

 A short course on medical geology by Prof. Jose Centeno and colleagues from IMGA, followed by one or two days research seminar is planned for early 2013 at the University of Johannesburg. During this occa- sion, the South African Chapter of Medical Geology will be inaugurated officially.  Establishment of a first International Centre of Excellence in Medical Geology in Africa (ICEMGA) in South Africa based at the University of Johannesburg. The program objectives are to provide research solutions for geological health threats and to provide education and training for a new generation of researchers who will lead in this field in South Africa and Africa in general. The aim is to develop cutting-edge research that will help us understand the benefits and the role of Earth materials and systems in the occurrence of diseases that are related to naturally occurring geological problems. This would lead to broadening our understanding of the diagnostic spectrum as well as therapy for many geological related health issues and thus improve life quality on the African continent. This program will be in cooperation with various National and International organisations amongst the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA). The proposal for the establishment of this Centre was presented by Hassina Mouri at the 4th Conference on Medical Geology in Bari, Italy, September 2011.  Scientific Sessions on Medical Geology and related topics will form an important part of the scientific program of the two major events that will take place in South Africa in 2014 (IMA 2014) (http:// www.ima2014.co.za) and in 2016 (IGC 35) (http://www.35igc.org).  More information on these plans will be provided in the next newsletter.  Participation at the session on medical geology at the IGC 34 – Brisbane 2012 with three abstracts on topics related to medical geology in South Africa and Africa in general.

Finally warm thanks to all the colleagues in South Africa and from IMGA for their support and encourage- ments for the establishment of the South African Chapter of Medical Geology.

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SWEDEN (Swedish chapter) Report from Chapter Leader and Chair, Dr Olle Selinus, [email protected] Linnegatan 2, 39233 Kalmar, Sweden

Members Anna Ladenberger Geologist Leif Johansson Geologist Frank Guldstrand Olle Selinus Geologist Karin Ljung Björklund Geologist/medical sciences Bengt Bollmark Geologist Martin Tondel Environmental medicine Holger Rilinger Kaj Lax Geologist Karin Eliaeson Geologist Ulf Lindh Medical /biological sciences

The chapter is new and started at the beginning of 2012. One activity is participation in “Geoarena”, in Octo- ber, organized by the Geological Survey of Sweden, which may gather about 1500 people, and bring together government authorities, decision makers, politicians, environmental people, etc. During 2 days there will be exhibitions, discussions and presentations on all aspects of geology. One of the themes will be medical geology with invited medical scientists, geoscientists and officials from agencies. The presentations will cover different aspects of medical geology, education in medical geology etc and will end with a panel discussion.

TAIWAN (International Medical Geology Association Taiwan Chapter) Report from Chapter Leader Prof Jiin-Shuh Jean, [email protected] Department of Earth Science, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan, Taiwan.

Secretary General, Ying Jan Wang, [email protected] Chairman of lecture and conference committee, Kuo-Chin Shiu, [email protected]

Members Sheng-Wei Wang Hydrogeologist Arsenic mobilization. H. Paul Wang Environmental engineer Arsenic removal Ming-Chee Wu Groundwater engineer Water treatment Kuo-Chin Hsu Hydrogeologist Geostatistics Chi-Ling Chen Epidemiologist Cancer epidemiology Chia-Hung Jen Physical Geographer Environment Monitoring, Field Investigation Ya-Yun Cheng Toxicologist Toxicology Chin-Hsiao Tseng Toxicologist Toxicology How-Ran Guo Epidemiologist Cancer epidemiology Jiin-Shuh Jean Hydrogeologist Arsenic mobilization. Yi-Fen Mu Biologist Reproductive physiology Hui-Wen Chiu Toxicologist Toxicology Chia Chuan Liu Hydrogeologist Arsenic mobilization.

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Bu-Miin Huang Biologist Reproductive physiology Ying Wen Yang Hydrogeologist Biodetection of arsenic Ying-Jan Wang Biologist Environmental toxicology Cheh-Shyh Ting Hydrogeologist Water quality management Yu-Ting Biologist Biodetection Ming-Hon Hou Biologist Biodetection

In May 29, 2012 the Taiwan Chapter celebrated their First Annual Meeting and Conference of International Medical Geology Association Taiwan Chapter. The meeting was attended by national and international scientists and students. The conference featured two Plenary Speakers, Dr. Jose A. Centeno IMGA Chairman and Dr. Chien-Jen Chen, Vice-President Academia Sinica, Taiwan. The conference was dedicated to the topic of arsenic health effects with over 16 oral presentations and 9 posters".

The Chapter has been involved in the following activities:

 We will hold 2012 IMGA Taiwan Chapter 1st Annual Meeting and Conference on May 29, 2012 at Na- tional Cheng Kung Univ., International Conference Hall, 3rd Conference Room, Tainan, Taiwan.  The latest Taiwan Newsletter was published in December 2011, and the next one is due in about June 2012. We carried out a literature review in medical geology.  We renewed the IMGA Taiwan Chapter website every week in order to promote the visibility IMGA worldwide. http://proj.ncku.edu.tw/imgatwn/

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 We linked our IMGA Taiwan Chapter Website to the web page of Department of Earth Science , National Cheng Kung University, to increase the visibility of our IMGA Taiwan Chapter.

 The following is a list of Research projects and publications of the Taiwan Chapter

Jiin-shuh JeanM, (President of IMGA Taiwan Chapter) Research papers Geomicrobial Control on Mobilization of Arsenic, Iron, and Manganese in Groundwaters of Chianan plain (Taiwan), Bengal Delta Plain (India-Bangladesh), and Chaco-Pampean Plain (Argentina). Adsorption of Tetracycline on 2:1 Layered Non-swelling Clay Mineral Illite P.-H. Chang, Z. Li, J.-S. Jean, W.-T. Jiang, C.-J. Wang, K.-H.Lin. Applied Clay Science (in press) A comparative Study on Arsenic and Humic Substances in Alluvial Aquifers of Bengal Delta Plain (NW Bangladesh), Chianan Plain (SW Taiwan) and Lanyang Plain (NE Taiwan): Implication of Arsenic Mobilization Mechanisms. Selim Reza AH, Jean JS, Yang HJ, Lee MK, Hsu HF, Liu CC, Lee YC, Bundschuh J, Lin KH, Lee CY. Department of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Combination of Hydrous Iron Oxide Precipitation with Zeolite Filtration to Remove Arsenic from Contaminated Water.

Ying-Jan Wang (Secretary General of IMGA Taiwan Chapter), Research Papers Arsenic Trioxide and Radiation Enhance Apoptotic Effects in HL-60 Cells Through Increased ROS Generation and Regulation of JNK and p38 MAPK Signaling Pathways. Arsenic Trioxide Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Human Glioma Cells In-vitro and In -vivo Through Downregulation of Survivin. Chiu HW, Ho YS, Wang YJ., Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan. Lipoic Acid Ameliorates Arsenic Trioxide-induced HO-1 Expression and Oxidative Stress in THP-1 Monocytes and Macro- phages. Wang L, Weng CY, Wang YJ, Wu MJ., Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung Univer- sity Medical College, Tainan 701, Taiwan.

Hou-Ran Kuo (Director of the IMGA Taiwan Chapter). Research Papers Gender Effect on Renal Outcome in Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma Peir-Haur Hung, Cheng-Huang Shen, Hung-Bin Tsai, Chih-Yen Hsiao, Pei-Chun Chiang, How-Ran Guo and Kuan-Yu Hung Arsenic trioxide and radiation enhance apoptotic effects in HL-60 cells through increased ROS generation and regulation of JNK and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. by Sheng-Yow Ho, Wei-Jr Wu, Hui-Wen Chiu, Yi-An Chen, Yuan-Soon Ho, How-Ran Guo, Ying-Jan Wang Atherosclerosis Induced by Arsenic in Drinking Water in Rats Through Altering Lipid Metabolism. Cheng TJ, Chuu JJ, Chang CY, Tsai WC, Chen KJ, Guo HR., Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan.

 Follow the IMGA Taiwan Chapter on Facebook at website: http://proj.ncku.edu.tw/imgatwn/

The week of May 28-31, 2012, Dr. J. Centeno, IMGA Chair, will be in Taiwan meeting with members of the Taiwan Chapter on Medical Geology and presenting invited lectures on medical geology at the Medical Col- lege of the National Cheng Kung University (May 28, 2012), at the First Annual Meeting of the IMGA Taiwan Chapter (May 29, 2012) and the Academia Sinica in Taipei on May 30, 3012.

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URUGUAY (IMGA Uruguay) Report from Chapter Leader Dr Nelly Manay, [email protected] Facultad de Química- Gral. Flores 2124 Montevideo CP 11800, Uruguay

Members Cousillas, Adriana Dr. in Chemistry, Toxicologist, Occupational exposure, heath prevention and Ecoheatlh Noguera, Ana Lía Chemistry Torre, Maria H. Dr in Chemistry Bioinorganic Chemistry, Copper and Selenium deficiencies and development of therapeutic agents. Heller, Teresa Toxicologist, Chemistry Environmental Toxicology Education. Pereira, Laura Toxicologist, Chemistry Occupational exposure, heath prevention and Ecohealth Miguez, Diana Dr in Chemistry Carrara, María Chemistry Goso, César Dr in Geology Mezzano, Adriana Geologist Piston, Mariela Dr. in Analytical Chemistry Analytical Chemistry: determination of trace elements of Toxico- logical and Environment relevance. Development, optimization and validation of analytical methods. Alvarez, Ma. Cristina Toxicologist, Chemistry Development of analytical methodologies for toxic metals biomarkers and epidemiological studies. Mañay, Nelly Dr, in Chemistry, Toxicologist Environmental and Analytical Toxicology, Population Biomonitoring, Medical Geology issues Barros, Luis (*) Dr. in Veterinary Kremer, Eduardo (*) Dr. in Chemistry (*) not affiliated to IMGA

Medical Geology in Uruguay has developed a highly qualified team to carry out research work, teaching, human resources training and extension. Some studies of trace elements that impact on health such as arsenic and fluoride in water, selenium in food , silica and asbestos in the air, deficiencies of essential elements such as copper in animals, among others, have already been initiated. In 2011, Uruguay was very well represented in the 4th International Conference on Medical Geology held in Bari, Italy by 6 colleagues (Cousillas, Adriana; Heller, Teresa; Mañay, Nelly; Pereira, Laura; Kremer, Edu- ardo; Noguera, Ana Lía).

 3 oral presentations in different sessions  5 poster presentations, one of them prize-winning, including some other 10 persons involved in these works, who were not able to attend the Conference personally.  1 travel award.

This was a practical demonstration of interest and hard work regarding Medical Geology in our country.

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Also in 2011, we created a Research Group on Medical Geology in the University of the Republic, with researchers from the Faculties of Chemistry, Sciences and Veterinary (chemists, toxicologists, geologists and veterinarians respectively), who worked together in order to create a framework for the presentation of future projects. Website: http://darwin.csic.edu.uy/grupos/grupos?tipo=unoro&id=798725

Furthermore, in November 2011, we applied for funds with a project for the creation of an Interdisciplinary Nucleus of Medical Geology within the University of the Republic, of which there is still no official resolu- tion. The leaders of this nucleus are Nelly Mañay, Maria Torre, Mariela Pistón, Cesar Goso, Adriana Cousil- las and Luis Barros, all professors from the University of the Republic. The formation of an Interdisciplinary Nucleus on Medical Geology consolidates a multidisciplinary team to approach the impact of geological factors on human health and animals that have no systematic research in the country.

The aim of this Interdisciplinary Nucleus is to strengthen Medical Geology research teams, and the specialization or training of human resources so as to integrate the different services from the University involved in this line of work, into their respective graduate and post graduate curricular programs.

In addition, the elective course of "Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology" held in our Faculty of Chemistry since 2005, reaches also students from other Faculties and in 2011, this 3-month course was successfully conducted, with growing interest and enthusiastic participation, both of students, and lecturers. This course was also included last year, as an elective in the Master in Geosciences programs. In addition, one of the PhD studies going on in our Faculty, is analysing Medical Geology as one part of the history and contribution of Toxicology to Environmental Education for Chemical Sciences students.

In early 2011 Dr. Centeno was going to visit us and give a short course on Arsenic issues so as to plan more activities on Medical Geology in Uruguay, but unfortunately he was not able to come, owing to his new job position. This course will be organised for April 2013

Finally, our aim is to motivate and include more colleagues involved in Medical Geology in Uruguay, because we have many interesting initiatives in sight. At the same time, we are willing to integrate Uruguay to proposals coming from IMGA.

The following are the lists of abstracts and papers produced by our chapter Members. Presentations in GEOMED 2011, Bari -Italy Facing Arsenic Environmental and Health Issues in Uruguay with Medical Geology Approach. Nelly Mañay, Mariela Pistón, Cesar Goso Biomonitoring and Biomarkers of Lead Exposure: Experience in Uruguay. Nelly Mañay, Adriana Cousillas, Teresa Heller, Laura Pereira Development of arsenic analytical methodologies in water and urine by HG-AAS for routine determinations in Uruguay. Cristina Alvarez, Mariela Pistón, Giovanna Clavijo, María Elvira Gómez, Nelly Mañay A toxicological Approach to Environmental Education in Chemical Sciences: Exploring a new field of study. Teresa Heller, Cristina Alvarez, Nelly Mañay Portland cement and health impacts. Adriana Cousillas, Nelly Mañay, Laura Pereira Testa. Occupational exposure evaluation of workers of Portland cement industry in Uruguay. Laura Pereira, Adriana Cousillas, Giovanna Clavijo. Natural Environmental Radioactivity in valizas resort, Rocha, Uruguay. Ana Noguera, Heinkel Bentos Pereira, Laura Fornaro. Speciation of Mo(VI) oxyanions in natural waters. Lorena Gonzatto, Guzmán Peinado, Julia Torres, Carlos Kremer, Eduardo Kremer Publications Impacts of multidisciplinary actions on environmental lead exposure in Uruguay. Cousillas A, Pereira L, Heller T, Alvarez C, Mañay N. Environ Geochem Health; 2012 Apr;34(2):207-11

Page 24 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTER REPORTS

Pistón M., Silva J, Pérez-Zambra R, Dol I., Knochen M. Automated method for the determination of total arsenic and selenium in natural and drinking water by HG-AAS.Environmental geochemistry and health. 10/2011; 34(2):273-8.

USA (US Chapter on Medical Geology) Report from USA Chapter Leader Brittany Merola

The USA IMGA Local Chapter has been established and was approved by the IMGA Board in February 2012. A Certificate of Ap- proval was presented to the new Chapter by Prof .Jose Centeno, IMGA Chairman, in April 2012.

On April 25, 2012, IMGA Chairman Jose Centeno presented an invited seminar on Medical Geology at the Department of Earth Sci- ences, Duke University. During this activity, the US Chapter on Medical Geology was officially awarded its IMGA Chapter Certifi- cate. The Certificate was received by Brittany Merola, Chairperson of the US Chapter on Medical Geology.

With a current membership of over 20 active members, the US Chapter has been continuously expanding its research and outreach activities. The Chapter is actively involved on the organizational plans for MEDGEO 2013 - 5th International Conference on Medi- cal Geology to be held in Washington DC". Brittany Merola, Chairperson, US Chapter on Medical Geology receives the IMGA Chapter Certificate from Jose Centeno, IMGA Chairman.

USA (GSA Honorary Chapter) Report from GSA Honorary Chapter Leader Bob Finkelman

The GSA Honorary Chapter is organising the MEDGEO2013 Conference in Washington, see the conference announcement in this newsletter.

Page 25 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS AWAITING APPROVAL

BULGARIA The Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy (BAGG), has recently joined IMGA as an Institu- tional Member. IMGA extends a warm welcome to BAGG. BAGG will act as the IMGA Local Chapter in Bulgaria and this new Local Chapter is currently awaiting IMGA Board approval.

Report from IMGA Bulgaria Contact Prof Krasimira Staneva

Project information of the Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy BAGG (2011-2012) [email protected]; e-mail:[email protected]

The activity of BAGG was associated with conducting several projects aimed at promoting Medical Geology in Bulgaria in 2011. Our team is focused on working with schools and business organizations. We obtained good results, which encourages us. Here is a brief summary of project activities.

Project "Our children healthy by nature” BAGG organized and provided a training project "Our children healthy by Nature” in 2011. The project aimed to familiarize students with the principles of medical geology and geotherapy and opportunities for remedial activities. Project activities were focused in two phases, information and creation. The first was focused on working with parents, teachers and students of different ages. We have trained older students and they became instructors in the project.

The quality of life in the school environment was assessed. Participants received information about the impact of mineral nutrition on motor activity and the relationship between mineral deficiency and learning difficulties. In the second phase of the project there were separate groups for work in nature, for clay-therapy (stimulation of fine motor activity) and for active sports.

Trained instructors organized geotherapeutic routes with brief information modules. All participants had specific rehabilitation modules outdoors in the Karlukovo Karst Geopark. Their instructors were students from Sofia University, Occupational Therapy program.

The project ended with a competition “What I learned about geomedicine”. BAGG was supported by the Ministry of Environment, Rotary Club – Interact Division and NGOs.

The second project: Last year BAGG started a research project to evaluate the components of the environment and their impact on human health. Activities associated with assessing the quality of air, soil, water and the geological environment, flora, fauna and EMF are being carried out.

The area under study is in north-eastern Bulgaria, where there is an active limestone quarry. The research team has obtained information about the quality of environmental components (10 years period observed). The population health status has been examined also.

Project activities will continue to assess the health risk for the population under the impact of mining activities. All results obtained on the project will be reported to the health authorities and the Ministry of Environment. The project will be completed this year with a public discussion in the region.

Page 26 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER CHAPTERS AWAITING APPROVAL

The third project: This month BAGG started a research project "Screening of electromagnetic pollution in schools and health risk assessments for students." The project is financed by the Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy and Sofia University.

The project objective is screening of electromagnetic pollution in schools from different types of high- technology equipment and a school for children with special educational needs. Expected results are related to clarifying the causes of fatigue, hyperactivity, attention deficit, etc. All results will be prepared for publishing by the end of 2012.

Publications list: Staneva, K, 2008. Impact of geopathogenic stress on human health. Geology and Mineral Resource, 10, 37-42. Staneva, K. , 2009. Geomedicine and Geotherapy- perspectives and development in Bulgaria., GMR, 10,7-9. Staneva, K., G. Georgieva, 2009. Geochemical assessment of groundwater and soils in urban area. Forestry ideas, 15, 2, 131-142. Staneva, K, 2011. Risk Assessment of pollution in areas of gas stations. GMR, 4. Staneva, K., 2011. Geoecological estimate of urban areas with gas stations. GMR, Staneva, K., E. Marinov, 2011. Geomedical problems in urban areas. Annual of Shumen Un. Staneva, K., Ch. Georgieva, 2011. Risk assessment of hydrocarbons pollution in oil and gas stations. Annual of Shumen Un.

MEXICO Report from Mexico Chapter Leader Prof. Hector Rubio Arias

The Mexican Local Chapter of IMGA has just been formed. IMGA extends a warm welcome to the Mexico Local Chapter, which is currently awaiting IMGA Board approval.

POSSIBLE CHAPTERS

KENYA Dr Beneah Odhiambo is the interim Chair of the fledgling Local Chapter in Kenya. His group are very active in Medical Geology research (see articles in this newsletter) and he is widening the advertisement of an IMGA Local Chapter to a greater geological and medical fraternity in Kenya aiming to establish a Local Chapter.

NIGERIA Dr Jolly Osadiaye is hoping to set up an IMGA Local Chapter in Nigeria within the next month.

Page 27 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER NOTICES

BOOKS (See back page for cover illustrations)

EARTH, THE SOURCE OF HEALTH AND HAZARDS (AN INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL GEOLOGY), Abdolmajid Yaghubpur (2012).

Has just been published in Persian:

PORTO SANTO’ ISLAND: UNIQUE NATURAL HEALTH RESORT Celso de Sousa Figueiredo Gomes ([email protected]); João Baptista Pereira Silva ([email protected]) Editor: Madeira Rochas-Divulgações Científicas e Culturais, www.madeirarochas.com.pt 1st edition: February 2012, 239 pages. ISBN: 978-972-99004-4-0

Contents

1. Prologue 7. Special clays 2. Naturotherapy 7.1. Background information on the use of Clay in Geomedicine 3. Geomedicine and Medical Geology 7.2. Relevant properties of Clay for Applications in Balneother- 4. Minerals (sensu latu) and Health apy, Dermopharmacy and Dermocosmetics 5. Natural resources of Porto Santo’ island 7.3. Typology and Nomenclature of Muds and Natural Peloids 5.1. Introduction 7.3.1. Essentially Inorganic Muds and Natural Peloids 5.2. Climate 7.3.2. Essentially organic Muds and Natural Peloids 5.3. Geology and Geomorphology 7.3.3. Mixed Peloids 5.4. Sea water 7.4. Maturation and Recomposition of Peloids 5.5. Spring water 7.5. Function and Application of Peloids 5.6. Caliche or Calcrete 7.6. Muds and Peloids in Portugal 5.7. Beach Rock 7.7. Medicinal and Cosmetic Clays from Porto Santo 5.8. Fossils of Terrestrial Molluscs 7.7.1. Smectite-Illite Clay 5.9. Geological Heritage, Geosites and Geomonuments 7.7.2. Smectite Clay (Bentonite) 5.10. Historical and Cultural Heritage 8. Biological and Medicinal Agriculture 6. Minerals (sensu restrictu) and Health 8.1. Edible Medicinal Vegetables and Fruits 6.1. Special sands 9. Geoproducts from Porto Santo for Dermocosmetics and Der- 6.1.1. Biogenic Carbonate Sand mopharmacy 6.1.2. Properties of the Biogenic Carbonate Sand interesting for 10. Epilogue applications in Geomedicine 11. Acknowledgments 12. References 13. Glossary

AWARD

Bob Finkelman received the award for the best research presentation at the March annual meeting of the Texas Public Health Association. Bob's talk was entitled "Is East Texas Groundwater Contributing to Kidney Dis- ease."

Page 28 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER PAST EVENTS

MEDICAL GEOLOGY WORKSHOP, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland 7th February 2012, Oester Voldgade 10, Copenhagen, Denmark

Programme Welcome by Vice Director Bjoern Kaare Jensen, [email protected] Staffan Skerfving: Studies at Lund University of human exposure to and effects of metals. Staf- [email protected]. Tue Kofod: Student at IGG, [email protected]: Medical geology saves lives Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen: Perfluorinated compounds are related to breast cancer risk in Greenlandic Inuit [email protected] Keld Alstrup Jensen: From diesel soot and wood smoke to particulate nanomaterials – Characteristics and Health Effects. [email protected], [email protected], Erik Jørs: Odense University Hospital. [email protected]: Pesticide intoxications in developing countries Walter Brüsh, GEUS, [email protected]: A register study of the Danish Population. Congenital malformation in male genital and occurrence of breast cancer among users with single water supply systems. Carsten Suhr Jacobsen, GEUS, [email protected]: Leaching pathogens from manure to drainage water a problem in structured clay Denitza Voutchkova, Department of Geosciences, Aarhus University, [email protected]: Iodine in Groundwater in Denmark; Implications for Human Health Henrik Skov, Institut for Miljøvidenskab, Aarhus University, [email protected]: The atmospheric surface exchange of mercury Peter W. U. Appel, GEUS, [email protected]: Small-scale gold mining is the second largest contributor to the global mercury pollution – how can we mitigate it? Rasmus Køster Rasmussen, [email protected], Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis Centre for Sundhed og Samfund, KU: Reducing mercury pollution in small scale gold mining Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen, [email protected]: Level and temporal trend of Perfluoroalkyl acids in Greenlandic Inuit. Christian Knudsen, GEUS, [email protected]: Sulphides as a source for nickel and arsenic in drinking water Flemming Larsen, GEUS. [email protected]: Arsenic in groundwater and effects on humans by drinking arsenic polluted drinking water. Gert Asmund, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, [email protected]: Lead and zinc pollution from mining in Greenland Peter Gravesen, GEUS, [email protected]: Radon in Danish houses, rocks and groundwater Tonci Balic-Zunic: [email protected]. Natural History Museum: Research of the mineralogical group at the Natural History Museum of Denmark related to bio mineralogy and medical mineralogy.

Abstracts from this workshop can be found in the SHORT ARTICLES section of this newsletter.

Page 29 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER PAST EVENTS

TERMALISMO NA ILHA GRACIOSA: VALÊNCIAS TERAPÊUTICAS E OPORTUNIDADES DE DESENVOLVIMENTO (HYDROTHERAPY IN GRACIOSA ISLAND: VALENCES AND THERA- PEUTIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES) Graciosa Island (Azores) at 29 and 31 March 2012.

The conference covered the actions and studies that INOVA has been operating in partnership with several organizations, scientific institutions and companies, with particular focus on work aimed at developing formulations and applications dermocosmetic of mud and pumice.

The Course and the Course “GEOFARMÁCIA e COSMÉTICA” (Geo-pharmacy and Cosmetics), held in conjunction with the conference, included theoretical and practical sessions specifically devoted to the themes, of relevant economic and tourism promotion of Health and Welfare. The Colloquium and theoretical sessions of the course was held at Hotel Graciosa, while the practical sessions were held in Termas Carapacho, Graciosa Island. The course was especially devoted to technical consultants, beauticians, spa and hydrotherapy, physio- therapy and rehabilitation medicine, pharmacists and other professionals in related fields.

THE FIRST CONFERENCE IN MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN REPUBLIC OF BELARUS Minsk in BelNIGRI (Belorussian Scientific-research Geological Prospecting Institute) on February 28, 2012.

The first conference devoted to the problems of medical geology in Republic of Belarus was held in Minsk in BelNIGRI (Belorussian Scientific-research Geological Prospecting Institute) on February 28, 2012. This event brought together around fifty representatives of the geological and medical communities of the country – geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, experts in sanition and hygiene, veterinary sciences, oncology, environmental sciences, etc. (See photo on front page.)The conference consisted of two parts: scientific and organizational. A working group on the medical geology of Belarus was established. Dr. Andrei Kovhuto, BelNIGRI director was elected as a Chair of coordinative body.

The topics discussed at the scientific part of the conference were:

 Geological objects, processes, phenomena and health of the population, animals and condition of the environment;  Medical aspects of geochemistry of the late sedimentary deposits;  Geochemistry of technogenesis and health of the population.

The materials presented were devoted to different aspects of environmental and medical geochemistry, drinking water quality and human health, geopathogenic zones identification and mapping, as well as analytical methods in medical geology.

Studies in the field of medical geochemistry in Belarus were started in the early 1980’s and carried out under the supervision of academician Konstantin Lukashov in the Institute of Geochemistry and Geophysics of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus (IGG, today’s name is BelNIGRI). The researches were carried out in cooperation with the Belorussian Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology of the Ministry of Health Protection of Belarus and explored the vitally important problem of correlation between oncology diseases and environmental factors. The researches were continued in the 1990’s by member-correspondent of the Academy of Sci- ences of Belarus Valentin Lukashov, who became one of the founders of the modern medical geology in NIS.

Page 30 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER PAST EVENTS

After the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe he explored the radionuclide mobility in soils and established some innovative methods of research. In the 1990-s Valentin Lukashov became a member of the International Work- ing Group on Medical Geology. He died in 1998.

Currently the scientists of BelNIGRI (IGG successor) under the supervision of BelNIGRI director Dr. Andrei Kovhuto in cooperation with colleagues from the Institute of the Nature Use of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus carry out research in environmental geochemistry in the territories of active tectonic zones and into the effects of metal ions on population health. Their results show that geological formations of tectonic zones are characterized by increased concentrations of Ni, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, B, as well as Rn in soil gas. These territories could be considered as geopathogenic zones, where a high rate of oncology, nervous, cardiovascular diseases as well as anaemia, nephritis, diabetes mellitus are also revealed.

9TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY (ISEG) 2012 University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal 15-22 July 2012

Editor's Note: This symposium ended as the newsletter was being finished and a account will appear in the next newsletter.

The conference was organized by the University of Aveiro and had the support of the IAGC - International Association of Geochemistry, the SEGH - Society of Environmental Geochemistry and Health and the IMGA - International Medical Geology Association.

The following topics were addressed during the meeting:

Theme 01 - Potentially toxic substances in the environment Theme 02 - Geochemical mapping and human health databases Theme 03 - Medical geology, environmental pollution and public health Theme 04 - Urban geochemistry, contaminated land, waste management and life quality in cities Theme 05 - Biogeochemistry of trace elements, organic pollutants and radio-nuclides Theme 06 - Nanomaterials, Environment and Health Theme 07 - Environmental Risk and Management Theme 08 - Minerals and the environment Theme 09 - Perception and communication of environmental health risks Theme 10 - Environmental impacts of climate change and extreme events Theme 11 - Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Countries that will be represented at the 9th ISEG Portugal, Hungry, Brazil, Spain, Greece, UK, Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, Canada, Poland, Finland, France, Aus- tralia, México, Russia, Japan, Sweden, Croatia, Tanzania, China, Ireland, Korea, South Africa, Norway, Neth- erlands, Namibia, Mozambique, Ghana and India.

Number of Abstract submitted to 9th ISEG: 300 For more details, please visit the conference web page -http://9iseg.web.ua.pt/

Page 31 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER UPCOMING EVENTS

2012 SINO-EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH (SESH) Galway, Ireland, 20 August 2012

China is becoming the 2nd largest economy of the world. The importance of environment and health is widely recognized there, and China welcomes international experts for collaboration. SESEH 2012 provides an opportunity for a direct communication between experts from China and the rest of the world. SESEH 2012 themes cover a wide range of issues in environment and health:

Environmental sciences: chemistry, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, ecology and toxicology Environmental pollution: air, water (river, lake, and marine), soil, and food Environmental pollutants: metals and metalloids; persistent organic pollutants and pesticides Environmental technologies: soil remediation; waste water treatment Environmental management and monitoring: social impact assessment, economics and policies Medical geology, endemic diseases, environmental health and public health Links between environment and health, environment and genetic interaction GIS and quantitative methods in environment and population health Sustainable development and health: agriculture, industry, traffic, urbanization Climate change and population health

Information at: http://www.nuigalway.ie/seseh2012

29TH INTERNATIONAL SEGH CONFERENCE 08 July 2013, Toulouse, France

The 29th International conference for the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health will be hosted in Toulouse, France in July 2013.

The main themes will be around Biogeochemistry and Health, Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology (water, living organisms) as well as Spatial and Temporal Geochemical Records of Pollution including Catchment Studies (trace elements, isotopes, monitoring). Please visit http://www.obs-mip.fr/segh2013/ and contact the local organiser to be included in the mailing list and receive regular updates. Please note that dates for 8-12th July 2013 are provisional and will be confirmed in early 2012.

2013 IMGA: CONFERENCE VENUE

The Geology and Health Division has contracted with the Hilton Crystal City Hotel to host the 2013 IMGA conference. The hotel, near Reagan National Airport, Arlington, Virginia, is only minutes away from Washington D.C. by Metro (walking distance from the hotel) or by car.

The conference will begin on Sunday, August 25, 2013 with short courses/workshops and an Ice Breaker. The conference will commence on Monday, August 26th with

Page 32 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER UPCOMING EVENTS a plenary session, technical sessions will conclude on Thursday August 29th.

Stay tuned for additional developments. Questions may be directed to Bob Finkelman ([email protected]). And check Facebook for further information:: https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Medical-Geology-Association-IMGA/217954944942790

We look forward to seeing you there.

Page 33 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES

SHORT ARTICLES: EDITOR’S NOTE: One of the objectives of the newsletter is to let readers know what the IMGA members are working on. Mem- bers are encouraged to submit longer articles of the type that we have published in previous newsletters but this edition of the newsletter also contains a large number of short articles, abstracts, and lists of papers. Al- though these do not provide full information, they present a picture of the work that is being carried out and interested readers can contact the authors for more information. Readers are encouraged to submit short accounts — up to half a page or so—of their work for subsequent newsletters. These may be informal notes on current work, and even questions. Anyone submitting material for the newsletter should read Section 8 on Newsletter Policy in the Medical Ge- ology Policy Book at: http://www.medicalgeology.org/pages/public/imga/Policy%20book.pdf.

ABSTRACTS FROM THE WORKSHOP ON MEDICAL GEOLOGY AT THE GEO- LOGICAL SURVEY OF DENMARK AND GREENLAND (GEUS), FEBRUARY 7TH

STUDIES AT LUND UNIVERSITY OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO AND EFFECTS OF METALS Staffan Skerfving, MD, PhD Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden, [email protected].,se

Toxic metals have been a main interest of the department since the 1950s. During 2006-2011, we coordinated a very large European Union project (Public Health Impact of long-term, low-level Mixed elements Exposure in Susceptible Population Strata (PHIME).

The exposure to metals in the population has been systematically followed by the analysis of blood 1978-2011. Then, the exposure to lead has decreased dramatically, mercury significantly, but cadmium not at all.

In spite of the low lead exposure in an international perspective, there are now indications that the exposure in Swedish children affects their cognitive function (school performance and IQ) as teenagers.

Women are the high-risk group for cadmium exposure. The metal accumulates during life. We have shown that Swedish elderly women have biochemical signs of kidney effects. Also, they display a cadmium- associated decrease of bone-mineral density. Our co-workers have shown a risk of osteoporotic fractures.

One major interest is in the genetic impact on the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of metals. Such may ex- plain the large variations in vulnerability at the same exposure. We have shown that there are genetic interaction with the toxicity of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic.

Page 34 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland

MEDICAL GEOLOGY SAVES LIVES Tue Kofod, Student at the University of Copenhagen

Medical Geology is a blooming topic with much potential worldwide. It is widely accepted that biota reflects its environment through eras of mutations to the survival of the fittest. In medical geology we study the impact of minerals from its source(s) in soils and rocks (both naturally and anthropogenically), the pathways of those through water and air; their access to the crops and their bioavailability in our body; the need of cells, organs, blood etc. to capture different minerals as well as their health effects of short- and long-term exposures. The result of extreme deficiency or overdose can cause serious illnesses and even be mortal. Every issue has a source. In Medical Geology, we try to understand the connection between it all, follow it back to its source and look for solutions.

My experience with the six weeks medical geology course at the University of Lund was very positive and of great interest. With several excellent and very dedicated professors, together with the new Swedish student textbook “Medicinsk Geologi” written by Dr. Olle Selinus, the course had given me a great baseline and in- sight in medical geology. The course consisted of three weeks of lectures and three weeks of preparation end- ing with a four hours written exam. The lectures covered most of the chapters in the textbook, with only a few positive exceptions. A few days were dedicated to the student’s individual reading of some chapters. Atten- dance at guest lectures and laboratory visits was obligatory for all students. It is my impression that Medical Geology covers a very wide spectrum that goes beyond the knowledge and expertise of a “traditional” geologist, but at the same time cannot do without. It therefore requires an establishment of a multidisciplinary network with cooperation between institutes, organizations which involves many different professions. With that in mind, many students from many different faculties attended this course; this gave rise to many interesting discussions and in the end it proved to be very helpful and informal for all parts. This network and cooperation seems to be working very efficiently in Sweden. More and more countries are joining the International Medi- cal Geology Association and I am most certain, that Denmark could prove to be a proud member of this association as well, as I see great potential in this. A course similar to the one in Lund could easily be established in the University of Copenhagen. Until then I strongly recommend students from Copenhagen to cross the strait and take the course in Lund, free of charge.

PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS ARE RELATED TO BREAST CANCER RISK IN GREENLANDIC INUIT: A CASE CONTROL STUDY. E. C. Bonefeld-Jorgensen1, M. Long1, R. Bossi2, P. Ayotte3, G. Asmund2, T.Krüger1, M. Ghisari1, G. Mulvad4, P. Kern4, P. Nzulumiki4, E.Dewailly3. 1Centre for Arctic Environmental Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; 2National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Denmark; 3 Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada; 4 Dronning Ingrids Hospital, Nuuk Greenland.

Introduction Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer for women in the western world. From very few cases an ex- traordinary increase in BC was observed in the Inuit population of Greenland and Canada although still lower than in western populations. Previous data suggest that exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) might contribute to the risk of BC. Rat studies showed that perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) cause significantly increase in mammary fibroadenomas. This study aimed at evaluating the association between serum levels of legacy POPs and PFCs in Greenlandic Inuit BC cases and their controls, and whether the combined legacy

Page 35 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland

POP related effect on nuclear hormone receptors affect BC risk.

Methods Thirty-one BC cases and 115 controls were sampled during 2000-2003 from various Greenlandic districts. The serum levels of POPs, PFCs, some metals and the combined effect of the lipophillic serum POPs on oestrogen- (ER), androgen- (AR) and Ah-receptor (AhR) transactivity were determined. Independent student t-test was used to compare the differences and the odds ratios were estimated by unconditional logistic regression mod- els.

Results We observed for the very first time a significant association between PFC serum levels and the risk of BC. The BC cases also showed a significantly higher concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls at the highest quartile, a higher frequency of subject samples with significant POP related hormone-like agonistic ER and AR transactivity, whereas AhR toxic equivalent was lowest in cases.

Conclusions The level of serum POPs, particularly PFCs, might be risk factors in the development of BC in Inuit. Hormone disruption by the combined serum POP related xenoestrogenic and xenoandrogenic activities may contribute to the risk of developing breast cancer in Inuit. Further investigations are needed to document these study conclusions.

FROM DIESEL SOOT AND WOODSMOKE TO ENGINEERED NANOPARTICLES – CHARACTERISTICS AND HEALTH EFFECTS Senior researcher Keld Alstrup Jensen, Cand. Scient., PhD., [email protected], National Research Centre for the Working Environment, DK-2100 Copenhagen, DENMARK.

Exposure to airborne particles may cause effects on human health. Epidemiological studies have shown clear associations between respiratory and cardiovascular effects in the general population and the urban concentration of particulate matter in the 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10) size-fractions. However, most of the biological effects are thought to be caused by the 100 nm-size particles from combustion of fossil fuels. Diesel vehicles generally have the greatest contribution to urban particulate traffic air-pollution, but in some areas wood smoke also contributes significantly to the local air-pollution. In any case, the ultrafine combustion particles only contribute with a few µg to the air-pollution levels and, it still remains unclear whether it is the complex exposure or specific compounds that may induce the observed biological effects of urban dust. Fundamental research is still required to understand the link between the physico-chemical characteristics and properties of ambient air-pollution and human health. Our research has previously shown that ultrafine particles in ambient air-pollution comprise a wide range of different soot and inorganic sub-µm to nm-size anthropogenic particles of heavy and transition metals along with several organic compounds and coarser minerals. In line with other studies, we have observed increased particle-induced inflammation, DNA-damage and surprising effects on foetus and offspring.

3 In contrast to the typical 30 to 75 µg/m PM10 levels of dust in urban environments, occupational exposures may reach several mg/m3 of respirable dust (the complete size-fraction that can be inhaled to the alveolar region in the lung). Several chemicals and mineral dust-induced occupational diseases are known. Worldwide, more than 380,000 premature deaths are ascribed to occupationally-induced respiratory disease, dominated by

Page 36 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and lung cancer (coal workers pneumonocosis, silicosis, and asbestosis). Other serious effects are associated with exposure to, e.g., process-related emissions such as weld- ing fumes and heavy metals, but also to certain powder chemicals. Luckily, most of the traditional exposures are now under good control, but constant developments require continuous surveillance and toxicological test- ing of old as well as new chemicals to ensure a safe working environment.

One of the major new issues is the increasing use of manufactured particulate nanomaterials, which is a new class of chemically and structurally tailored particles. Nanomaterials are used to improve or develop new materials or products. Currently there is high concern that the physico-chemical properties and toxicity of particulate nanomaterials differ from comparable bulk materials. Our research confirms that handling of nanopowders may result in different characteristics with much finer and higher levels of dust exposure and the toxicity may be strongly related to the specific surface area of the particles, but also to their chemical composition, including their chemical coating, shape, biodurability and chemical reactivity. New mechanisms, such as the ability to penetrate cells and cross tissue barriers, are possible and can result in accumulation in inner organs and effects on foetus. This currently renders the hazard and exposure potential of these materials unpredictable and worldwide intense research is currently being conducted to quickly create a bigger picture. In addition, doubts have recently arisen on certain toxicological test methods due to potential artefacts caused by specific preparation protocols and test mediums.

Combination of knowledge from both nanosafety and urban air-pollution research is anticipated to enable a unique chance to read-across and possibly realize fundamental relations between particle properties and toxicity in the years to come.

PESTICIDE INTOXICATIONS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Erik Jørs, Arbejds- og Miljømedicinsk Klinik OUH, Guido Condarco, Fundacion Plagbol Bolivia Rafael Cervantes, Fundacion Plagbol Bolivia, Omar Huici, Fundacion Plagbol Bolivia, Flemming Lander, Ar- bejds- og Miljømedicinsk Klinik Herning, Jesper Bælum, Arbejds- og Miljømedicinsk Klinik OUH

Background Pesticide use is increasing rapidly in agriculture and public health programmes in developing countries. Al- though only one fifth of the world use of pesticides is used here, more than 90% of pesticide intoxications occur in developing countries. Restricted and even banned pesticides are easily available and used in developing countries, where control with import and sale is often lacking. Pesticides are on a third place after mercury and lead on the top ten of the biggest toxicological problems we are facing worldwide.

Method Since 2001 we have been collaborating with Bolivia in the Danida financed Plagbol project. The project started small scale in 2001 in 4 municipalities and now cover whole of Bolivia with education, information and other preventive activities.

Results Baseline showed the use of the most toxic pesticides, lack of hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when spraying pesticides with knapsack sprayers, and a frequent experience of toxic symptoms after spraying. Changes in blood AchE and genotoxic damage among pesticide users depending on the frequency of spraying, the toxicity of the pesticides the number of PPE used has been documented, as well as delayed neuropsychological development in children exposed to pesticides during pregnancy. Females seems to be

Page 37 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland more vulnerable than males, as they have less knowledge of pesticide toxicity and handling and experience more symptoms of intoxication after spraying. Most severe acute intoxications are due to suicides, especially in younger age groups and among females.

Due to lack in proper handling, foods and waters are heavily contaminated with pesticide residues. Interven- tion has been able to reduce the use of pesticides among farmers, a safer handling of pesticides, a better protection and the experience of fever symptoms of intoxication after spraying.

Conclusion Pesticides does pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. Serious efforts on various levels need to be undertaken to minimize this worldwide toxicological problem, as studies in other part of the world shows the same results as in Bolivia. We have started a similar project in Uganda from 2010, and have started to collaborate with WHO to improve work environment at a global level in their 2012-17 plan.

A REGISTER STUDY OF THE DANISH POPULATION. CONGENITAL MALFORMATION IN MALE GENITALIA AND OCCURRENCE OF BREAST CANCER AMONG USERS WITH SINGLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS. Tina Kold Jensen, Helle Raun Andersen, Esben Budtz-Jørgensen, Halfdan Sckerl, Børge Sommer, Frants von Platen-Hallermund, Walter Brüsch, René K. Juhler, Miljøprojekt Nr. 1174 2008

In Denmark, approximately 70,000 households are supplied with drinking water from private wells without the same high standard quality control as the households supplied from public water supplies. In 2004 a random sample of 628 private wells revealed that 2 out of 3 wells exceeded the threshold value for pesticides, nitrate or bacteria and one in three exceeded the threshold values for pesticides. Pesticides were found in more than 60% of the private wells, and often more than one pesticide or degradation product were detected. Some pesticides have, in previous studies, been found to have endocrine disrupting abilities and have been related to increased risk of certain cancer types and congenital malformations in the male reproductive tract. Due to the unique population registers in Denmark, it is possible to link data on water supply with cancer and malformations registers. The purpose of this register study was therefore to study the relationship between water supply and hormone related cancers and malformations in the male reproductive tract and to validate the quality of these registers.

In this study, data from seven population registers were used. The Danish Civil Registration System keeps a unique personal identification number (CPR number) for all citizens in Denmark, and information about previous and current addresses. The Building and Housing Register (BBR) provided information about the water supply for all addresses. Areal Information System (AIS) provided CPR numbers for the study population identified as all Danish people living in rural areas. The geological map from the Geological Survey of Den- mark and Greenland (GEUS) supplied a soil type to all addresses. The Danish Cancer Registry, where information about breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer was provided. The National Patient Registry and the Malformation Register keeps records of congenital malformations and operations for cryptorchidism and hypospadias (malformations in the male reproductive tract). In AIS the rural population in Denmark was defined and their CPR numbers recorded. These were linked to the health registers, and CRP numbers of persons having one of the above defined diseases, were identified in the rural population. In the Danish Civil Reg- istration System the addresses of the rural population were identified and their water supply and soil type was recorded in respectively BBR and the geological map of GEUS.

Page 38 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland

In this partially ecological study among all Danish people living in rural areas, women who were supplied with water from small private wells more often gave birth to a boy with cryptorchidism compared to women supplied from a public wells. No increased risk for hypospadias among sons of women with private water supply compared to public wells was found, but this is a rare malformation. Women and men who received water from private wells had no increased risk of respectively ovarian and breast cancer or prostate cancer. Women who lived in areas with clay soil more often experienced breast or ovarian cancer and gave birth to a boy with cryptorchidism compared to women living in areas with sandy soil. However, only the findings for breast cancer were statistically significant.

This study indicates that the population receiving water from private wells may be exposed to pesticides and metabolites that may affect their health which is in accordance with previous studies. The exposure to pesticides though drinking water is low compared to the exposure from the diet, but the types of pesticides found in the drinking water differ from those found in the diet. In addition, many pesticides and metabolites are found in drinking water extracted from surface near groundwater reservoirs.

This study is register based, and does therefore does not include individually based information about exposures and possible confounders. It is therefore not possible to draw conclusions about any causal relationship between drinking water and health. It was for example not possible to take into account differences in social class and occupation between people with private and public water supply. In addition, problems with some of the registers were discovered, which is discussed in more detail in the report. This study can therefore only suggest a possible relationship between drinking water supply and health which needs to be confirmed in other studies with more appropriate designs. Since no firm conclusions can be drawn from this study it may be ar- gued that it should never have been performed. However, one of the purposes of the study was to investigate the validity of the registers and discover problems with linkage, which was done.

LEACHING OF PATHOGENS FROM MANURE TO DRAINAGE WATER, A PROBLEM IN STRUCTURED CLAY C.S. Jacobsen1,2, T.B. Bech1, A. Forslund2, R. Garcia1,4M. Amin3, J. Baelum1, L. Fredslund1, J. Kjaer1, , O. Popovic2, T. X. Bui5, D.D. Bang5, S. Pedersen3, L.S. Jensen2, M. Laegdsmand3, P. Santorum4, A. Dalsgaard2, P. Olsen3, O.S. Jacobsen1, & O.H. Jacobsen3 1) Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Denmark. 2) University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences, Denmark. 3) University of Århus, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Denmark. 4) Centro de Investi- gacion y Formacion Agrarias. Consejeria de Ganaderia, Agricultura y Pesca de Cantabria. Spain. 5) Technical University of Denmark

The usual practice of addition of animal manure to soil can an provide opportunity for the contamination of soil and drainage waters. In a large multidisciplinary project, involving many institutions, the spread of different pathogens in agricultural soils has been assayed. In this study, we examined different pathogens using different techniques to evaluate the survival of the organism in soils: Plate/plaque counting, direct quantification of mRNA and DNA-based qPCR.

In a field experiment strings of manure were added into agricultural soil. During a period of two months, the sections of soils with different distances to the manure string were assayed to obtain information on survival and spread of virus (bacteriophage), faecal indicators (Enterococci, Bacterioides, E. coli) and tetracycline- resistant bacteria. The die-off of the different organisms was quantified showing an extended survival close to the manure-string. Genomic DNA from 400 tetracycline-resistant bacteria was isolated and their phylogenetic relationship was established using 16SrRNA gene sequencing showing that the main tetracycline-resistant bac-

Page 39 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland terial species is E. coli.

Drainage water from the field was collected weekly from Spring 2008. During the samplings in 2008, no tetracycline-resistant bacteria were found, but after manure applications in the autumn 2009 tetracycline-resistant bacteria were recovered. Again, a suite of different organisms were quantified, and in the first drainage water sample after manure application we found approximately 100 tetracycline-resistant cfu ml-1. The total number of tetracycline-resistant bacteria in the manure was 1x104 cfu ml-1.

In conclusion, the survival and environmental spread of pathogens and indicator organisms shows that not only the upper soil are impacted by the microorganisms originating from non-processed manure, but also drainage water in structured soils can contain quite high numbers of the organisms.

IODINE IN GROUNDWATER IN DENMARK; IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN HEALTH Denitza Voutchkova1, 2, Søren Munch Kristiansen1, Birgitte Hansen2, Vibeke Ernstsen2, Brian Sørensen2, Kim Esbensen2 1Aarhus University, Department of Geoscience 2 Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, GEUS

Increasing awareness of the importance of medical geology in Denmark has resulted in initiation of a GEO- centre project on iodine in the hydrological cycle and human health. The project is running from 2011-2014, and includes the Ph.D. project of Denitza Voutchkova. The presentation will give a description of the new project, the on-going research, and preliminary results will be presented.

Aim of the project The aim of the initiated project is to combine the medical and the geochemical aspects by studying the variations in iodine bioavailability in groundwater and to evaluate the human health effects. The project includes the iodine cycle from precipitation over soil water, groundwater and finally to tap water.

Medical aspect Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, which regulates the metabolic processes in cells and plays a role in the early development of most organs. Low iodine intake, <150 µg/day for adults and adoles- cents, can result in a variety of iodine deficiency disorders, for example, mental retardation, goitre, and hypothyroidism. On the other hand, chronically high intake can also cause health problems such as iodine induced hyperthyroidism, elevated goitre, and subclinical hypothyroidism.

Geochemical aspect In Denmark almost 100 % of the drinking water comes from groundwater. Regional variations of iodine content in Danish groundwater have been previously reported to range from <0.1 µg/l to 139 µg/l. However, this hasn’t been studied in details from a geochemical point of view. The source of iodine in groundwater and the involved geochemical processes still remain unexplained.

Presentation of the project The first goal of the study is to perform multivariate analysis of the available groundwater data from the national Jupiter database (2562 samples in the period 1933-2011) in order to explore the relations between iodine and: 1) the other major and trace elements; 2) the geology; 3) the distance to the coastline and 4) the distance to major geological faults.

Page 40 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland

The second goal of the project is to develop analytical method(s) for iodine speciation in order to study the iodine cycle in groundwater. A storage experiment of the groundwater samples at different temperatures has been performed. Preliminary results will be presented.

The third goal of the project is to perform local studies on the variation of the iodine content in groundwater and to elucidate the sources. Two areas with high iodine concentration, Ishøj and Hjelmsølille, were chosen for these case studies. The preliminary results for Ishøj show a decrease in the iodide concentration in shore-inland direction (from 84 µg/l to 13 µg/l), implying that the iodine source is possible sea water intrusion. No high iodide concentrations were found in Hjelmsølille, despite the historical data (iodine >100 µg/l from 1958-1959 in 3 wells, at the present - closed), which might be explained by either small scale local variation, mistake in the old analytical method, or errors in the database.

The future plans for this 3 year project include a national study on iodine in drinking water with sampling from abstraction wells and waterworks in the whole of Denmark. The purpose is to map iodine concentrations in drinking water in order to be able to make a better estimation on the iodine intake in Denmark and evaluate the effects on human health.

Medical studies The project seeks to established collaboration with physicians working with epidemiology of thyroid diseases related to iodine uptake.

THE ATMOSPHERIC SURFACE EXCHANGE OF MERCURY Henrik Skov1,2, 1Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark 2Adjunct professor, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark. [email protected]

Mercury is a heavy metal that is toxic in all its forms. Most mercury released to the environment enters the atmosphere in the form of elemental mercury (Hg0). In the atmosphere it has a sufficient long lifetime to be ubiquitous and thus it is also found in the Arctic atmosphere. Elemental mercury is slowly oxidized in the atmosphere to much more short lived mercury species, which can be removed by rain (wet deposition) or dry deposition. Thereafter mercury may be taken up in the food web by bacteria in the marine environment and then followed by bioaccumulation. In the Arctic, special conditions occur every spring that enhance the oxidation of Hg0 in the atmosphere, which leads to increased deposition of mercury. Thus this increased deposition together with bioaccumulation might lead to higher levels of mercury in the sea mammals located high in the food The Mercury Cycle in the arctic web than is expected in such a pristine environment and making these animals less attractive as human food resource.

Page 41 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland

In the presentation the state of art of the fate of atmospheric mercury is shown and discussed with special attention to the determinations of deposition of atmospheric mercury to the Arctic.

SMALL-SCALE GOLD MINING IS THE SECOND LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO GLOBAL MERCURY POLLU- TION – HOW CAN WE MITIGATE THAT? Peter W. U. Appel. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. [email protected]

The main contributor to the global mercury pollution is burning of coal. Although coal only contain very small quantities of mercury, the drastic increase of burning coal in power plants and for household use has caused a drastic increase on mercury release to the atmosphere. The estimated release of mercury to the atmosphere amounts to a couple of thousands tonnes. Small-scale gold mining in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia releases huge amounts of mercury to the atmosphere. A recent estimate from the Philippines indicates a yearly release there in the order of 500 tons of mercury to the atmosphere (Appel et al., 2011). Figures from Indonesia are in the same order of magnitude. The global release of mercury from small-scale gold mining exceeds 1000 tons per year.

The first step to stop the release of mercury from Small Scale Mining (SSM) is to teach the miners to use mercury free gold extraction methods. Borax has been used by a group of ~15.000 ssm in Northern Philippines for more than 30 years. This method is gradually being implemented in other parts of the Philippines as well as in Indonesia and Tanzania. Borax is environmentally benign and by using borax instead of mercury the miners will be able to extract more gold.

The second step is to clean the numerous tailings from SSM littering the Philippines and other countries. Re- cently a method has been tested on a laboratory scale plant of extracting mercury from tailings from SSM. The method works and Asian development bank and/or World Bank will be approached in order to get funding for up-scaling the plant (Appel et al. 2011).

Appel, P. W. U., Na-Oy, L., Hatsukawa, Y., Osawa, T., Kystol, J. & Sørensen, L. L. 2011: Cleaning mercury polluted mine tailings in the Philippines. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Report. 2011/127, 39 pp.

REDUCING MERCURY POLLUTION IN SMALL SCALE GOLD MINING Rasmus Køster-Rasmussen, Jane Frølund Thomsen, Tilde Müller, Maria Westergaard, Marie Brasholt, Erik Jørs & Peter W. U. Appel.

Background Mercury is a well-known neurotoxin. In developing countries mercury is increasingly used among small scale gold miners (SSMs). Peter Appel et al documented that SSMs in the Philippines use whole ore amalgamation, a technique where 20-40 grams of mercury is consumed to produce one gram of gold, equivalent to 1 ton of mercury every year from each small Philippine mining village. A disaster of historical dimensions may arise if this development continues. SSMs from the Benguet region in the Philippines have been using a non-toxic mercury free method for gold extraction the last 15 years: the borax-method.

Objective To introduce the borax-method and eliminate the use of mercury in three gold mining areas by technical training of SSMs, to raise awareness about mercury toxicity in civil society and among health care professionals.

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The project The project is carried out by the NGO Diálogos in corporation with GEUS (National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland), the International Committee of Occupational Environmental and Public Health, De- partment of International Health (ISIM) University of Copenhagen, the Manila based NGO Ban toxics! and the Benguet Federation of Small Scale Miners. The three year project started March 2011 and is funded by DANIDA’s project advice and training centre.

Material and methods There are approximately 2000 SSMs associated with the three mining communities in Kalinga and Camarines Norte. A baseline survey took place late 2011. Two hundred and fifty SSMs were individually interviewed with a structured questionnaire regarding their use of mercury, knowledge, attitude and practice. Possible symptoms of mercury intoxication were elicited. Sixty health-care professionals and 60 representatives from civil society were interviewed about the awareness and knowledge of mercury toxicity. The interventions planned and currently taking place are 1) ‘miner-to-miner’ hands-on-training where SSMs from Benguet teach local SSMs the borax-method, 2) distribution of educational material and production of an educational film entitled: “Gold extraction with BORAX for small-scale miners - Rather Rich & Healthy than Poor & Poi- soned”, and 3) education of health care professionals, school children and civil society about mercury use in mining, toxicity and the borax-method.

The ‘miner-to-miner’ training sessions are set up as a competition between local and Benguet miners. The yield of gold and the use of mercury in all training sessions are monitored by the Bantox staff.

The follow-up study is planned for 2013.

Results Preliminary results are very promising. During the first ‘miner to miner’ training sessions in Kalinga the borax -method has yielded 3.2 g gold of 15.9 karat in 3 hours where as the traditional method with mercury yielded 1.2 g gold of 14.3 karat in 7 hours using the same amount (3 loads) of randomly picked grinded ore. The local influential SSMs organization Banao Bodong has taken steps towards completely prohibiting mercury in their area.

Perspective During the three year project a concept for ‘changing to mercury-free methods’ is developed. This concept will be easily accessible in a free white book containing training materials, the film on DVD, questionnaires for baseline survey and monitoring, and an implementation strategy. This concept may be used in the remaining gold mining areas in the Philippines and around the world.

LEVEL AND TEMPORAL TREND OF PERFLUOROALKYL ACIDS IN GREENLANDIC INUIT M. Long1, R. Bossi2, E. C. Bonefeld-Jørgensen1 1Centre of Arctic Environmental Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; 2National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Denmark

Introduction Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been detected in human blood, breast milk, and umbilical cord blood from

Page 43 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland different countries and regions globally. PFAAs do accumulate in the marine food chain in Arctic regions. In Greenland increasing PFAAs concentrations have been observed, during 1982-2006, in ringed seals and polar bears. However until now no data have been reported on human levels of PFAAs in Greenlandic Inuit.

Aim To assess the level and temporal trend of selected PFAAs in the serum of Greenlandic Inuit.

Methods Serum PFAA levels of 284 Inuit from different Greenlandic districts were determined using liquid chromatog- raphy-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The temporal time trend of serum PFAAs in Nuuk Inuit during 1998-2005 was studied. The correlation between serum PFAAs and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was explored. Results Serum PFAA levels were higher in Nuuk Inuit than in non-Nuuk Inuit. Within the same district higher PFAA levels was observed for males. An age dependent increasing trend of serum PFAA levels in the period 1998- 2005 was observed for Nuuk Inuit. For the pooled gender data no significant association between PFAAs and legacy POPs was observed for Nuuk Inuit while for non-Nuuk Inuit this correlation was significant. No correlation between PFAAs and legacy POPs was found for male Inuit, whereas significant correlation was observed for pooled female Inuit and non-Nuuk female.

Conclusions We suggest that sources other than seafood intake might contribute to the observed higher PFAA levels in Nuuk Inuit compared to the pooled non-Nuuk Inuit.

SULPHIDES AS A SOURCE FOR NICKEL AND ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER Christian Knudsen, GEUS

Surveillance of Danish ground water resources, carried out by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), has revealed that the ground water often contains elevated amounts of nickel (> 20 ppb) in the eastern part of Zealand, south of Copenhagen. The high nickel values coincide with areas where abstraction of drinking-water has lowered the groundwater table into the limestone reservoir rocks and oxygen has been introduced into the limestone reservoir. Drill-core from Danian limestone and Maastrichtian chalk south of Copenhagen were examined and four pyrite varieties, euhedral, replacing, concretions and framboidal pyrite were found in the limestone together with other sulphides such as bravoite, millerite and sphalerite. Micro- probe analyses of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu and As show that the contents are high in the framboidal variety and low in the other varieties. The framboidal pyrite variety is believed to have crystallised shortly after the deposition of the limestone. During early diagenetic alteration of the chalk, probably tied to sediment starvation and “hardground” formation, framboidal pyrite was dissolved and redeposited as euhedral, pure pyrite (FeS2), bravoite ((Ni,Co)S2), millerite (NiS) and sphalerite (ZnS) along at least three horizons (sequence boundaries). The sulphides bravoite, millerite and pyrite are likely to be the primary source for the nickel found in the groundwater in the area. The nickel was initially mobilised when oxygen was introduced into the limestone due to lowering of the water table by abstraction of drinking water.

As is the case with nickel, there is an uneven distribution of arsenic in drinking water in Denmark with higher abundances in eastern Jylland, Fyn and Sjælland where the Tertiary clay rich formations subcrop the glacial

Page 44 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland deposits. Microprobe analysis of a sulphides from fine-grained Tertiary sediments has shown that these sulphides often contain high levels of arsenic and may constitute an important reservoir of arsenic that can be released when oxygen is introduced into the reservoir.

ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER AND EFFECTS ON HUMANS BY DRINKING ARSENIC POLLUTED DRINKING WATER. Flemming Larsen, GEUS. [email protected]:

No abstract

LEAD AND ZINC POLLUTION FROM MINING IN GREENLAND Gert Asmund, Aarhus Universitet, Institut for Bioscience, Frederiborgsvej 399 4000 Roskilde (tidligere Dan- marks Miljøundersøgelser). [email protected]

In three cases, mining in Greenland has created a significant pollution of the environment with lead and zinc. When this pollution can reach humans it can become a medical problem. Here it is shortly described how the elements go from ore to pollution, but no considerations are made about the medical significance.

Metersvig At Mestersvig in East Greenland the lead/zinc ore was mined 10 km from the sea. After mining the ore was treated by flotation. The tailings were disposed on a mountain slope that ended in the river Tunnelelv. The river transported gradually 90% or more of the tailings to the fiord “Kong Os- cars Fjord”. There, the rest concentrations of zinc and lead was mobilised and gave rise to high concentrations of zinc and lead in the biota in the coastal zone. The concentrated lead and zinc minerals were shipped out the ships in barges. In some cases the barges turned over and lost all the contained mineral concentrate. This was the major cause for the measured lead pollution whereas the tailings were the major cause for the zinc pollution. Figure 1 Sulphide-rich concretion in chalk: Pyrite (yellow, FeS2) Ivittuut. Bravoite (orange, (Ni,Co)S2) Sphalerite (red, ZnS) Cryolite mining at Ivittuut in South Greenland resulted in a Chalk (light blue) waste product that contained a small amount of lead in form Pores (dark blue) of galena. This waste simply consisted of mined stones that were visually regarded as having too low concentration of The pyrite has replaced silica spicules (hollow ellipsoids) cryolite to be shipped to Copenhagen for further processing. and bryozoans. SEM Backscatter image This material was, over the years, deposited at the shoreline of Arsuk Fjord. When sufficient amounts of waste rocks were obtained, by hand sorting, it was used to con- struct a quay. Unfortunately the tidal water movements caused seawater to periodically enter and leave the void in the quay material and in this way dissolve the contained lead. The lead that was dissolved in seawater was absorbed by seaweed and the blue mussels from where it could reach humans that collect these items, mainly mussels, for consumption.

Page 45 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland

Maarmorilik. At Maarmorilik zinc and lead was mined and the two elements extracted by flotation. The tailings from the flotation still containing some galena and sphalerite were disposed in the nearby fiord. Waste rock that was produced for creating space in the mine was dumped on a mountain slope reaching the fiord. Dust from the crushing and processing of the ore was released with ventilation air and by the wind. All three processes resulted in the spreading of lead and zinc in the environment, in particular the marine environment. The elements dissolved in seawater created, as at Ivittuut marine pollution. Blue mussels reached lead concentrations far above safe consumption limits. Also fish were, but to a lesser degree, contaminated by lead, but rarely over safe consumption limits.

At the latest environmental survey, in 2010, very high concentrations were still found in blue mussels although the mine had been closed in 20 years at that time, and all the originally polluted mussels should have died and been replaced by new mussels.

All three cases show that lead minerals should not be disposed in the marine environment if one wants to avoid adverse medical geology effects.

RADON IN DANISH HOUSES, ROCKS AND GROUNDWATER Peter Gravesen, GEUS

Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive noble insoluble gas with a half-life of 3.8 days. It belongs to the uranium (228U) decay chain where radon is formed from radium (226Ra). Uranium and radium are built into mineral structures. They can also be adsorbed on the surface of clay minerals, Fe-minerals or organic material. When radon is formed by radioactive decay from radium the emanation process sends parts of the produced radon into the pores of rocks and soils and radon is then transported by diffusive or advective forces in the pores. The trans- port rate depends on the permeability and water content in the pores.

Radon may enter rooms in houses through fractures in the walls, driven by forces such as pressure differences between outdoor and indoor. Radon and its radioactive decay products are inhaled by people, and the inhalation is the main source of radiation to which people are exposed. The radiation causes an increased risk of lung cancer and leukaemia, of which the latter mainly occur in children. On the basis of risk analyses it has been evaluated that 10% of all cases of lung cancer in Denmark are caused by radon inhalation. It has been demonstrated that rocks and soils around and below houses are the main source of radon emanation.

Several studies have analyzed and described the radon emanation and content in Danish sediments and rocks (e.g. Gravesen & Jakobsen, 2009). Generally the radon content is low, but in the Precambrian basement rocks and Cambrian Alun shales of Bornholm, the content can be fairly high. Also some Palaeogene clays with high organic content can give high radon values. Most of the Danish limestones and chalks and Quaternary sediments have a low content of radioactive components and low radon emanation. Some studies have demonstrated the relationship of the Danish rocks and sediments to radon levels in Danish buildings (e.g. Andersen et al. 2006). A nation-wide mapping of radon levels in Danish dwelling houses based on, e.g. the mapping of Quaternary surface deposits and information about radon in sediments and rocks was performed by Andersen et al. (2001).

Radon content in groundwater is normally very low and only on Bornholm the radon content can be so high

Page 46 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Denmark and Greenland that it is necessary to close water supply wells.

References Andersen, C.E., Ulbak, K., Damkjær, A. & Gravesen, P. 2001a: Radon i danske boliger. Kortlægning af lands-, amts- og kom- muneværdier. 132 pp. Copenhagen: Sundhedsstyrelsen, Statens Institut for Strålehygiejne. Andersen, C.E., Raaschou-Nielsen, O., Andersen, H.P., Lind, M., Gravesen, P., Thomsen, B. & Ulbak K. 2006: Prediction of 222Rn in Danish dwellings using geology and house construction information from central databases. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 27, 10–21. Gravesen, P. & Jakobsen, P.R., 2010: Radon content in Danish till deposits: relationship with redox conditions and age. Bull. Geol. Surv. Denmark and Greenland 20, 39-42.

RESEARCH OF THE MINERALOGICAL GROUP AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF DENMARK RE- LATED TO BIOMINERALOGY AND MEDICAL MINERALOGY Tonči Balić-Žunić, Anna Katerinopoulou, Helene Almind, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen

The Crystallography and Mineralogy (CRYMI) Task Force of Geocenter Copenhagen, and University of Co- penhagen which is now situated at the Natural History Museum has, throughout its life, been involved in several research projects covering various aspects of the interplay between minerals and living matter. Our expertise in this field is concentrated around the use of X-ray Diffraction methods for which we have a superbly fur- nished laboratory with many users besides members of our group.

The main types of analyses we perform are as follows:

1. The identification of solid phases. Various amounts and types of materials can be handled, either powders in amounts down to 1 mm3 or single grains with diameters from 0.2 to 2-3 mm. The ease and accuracy of the method are illustrated by our work on the analysis of the calcium pyrophosphate crystallization related to the pseudo-gout disease in collaboration with the researchers from PANUM Institute, University of Co- penhagen [1][2][3][4]. 2. The analysis of the structural characteristics of crystalline phases. We perform the determination of the global crystal structure which gives the ultimate basis for the chemical and physical properties of the material. This is illustrated by the first full characterization of the structure of beta-calcium pyrophosphate di- hydrate modification from the aforementioned study [5] and the determination of the structure of the green rust which can be used for the remediation of heavy-metal polluted soils [6]. Also the other structural characteristics of materials can be treated by the method, like the determination of average shape and size of nanosized crystals in polycrystalline samples for which we have developed our own method [7]. 3. Quantitative phase analysis. It is illustrated by the application in the estimation of the pollution from the acid main tailings in Arctic climate [8][9] and by the on-going project in which we monitor the concentration of the carcinogen mineral erionite in the soils and volcanic rocks in the region of Anatolia known for abnormally high incidence of Mesothelioma.

[1] Christoffersen, Seierby, Balić Žunić, Christoffersen (1999), J. Cryst. Growth, 203, 234. [2] Christoffersen, Balić-Žunić, Pehrson, Christoffersen. (2000), J. Cryst. Growth, 212, 500. [3] Christoffersen, Balić-Žunić, Pehrson, Christoffersen (2001), Crystal Growth & Design, Vol. 1, No. 6, 463. [4] Christoffersen, Balic-Zunic, Christoffersen (2002) Crystal Growth & Design, Vol. 2, No. 6, 567. [5] Balić-Žunić, Christoffersen, Christoffersen (2000), Acta Cryst., B56, 953. [6] Christiansen, Balic-Zunic, Petit, Frandsen, Mørup, Geckeis, Katerinopoulou, Svane Stipp (2009), Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73, 3579. [7] Katerinopolpou, Balic-Zunic, Lun- degaard (2012) J.Appl.Cryst., 42, 22. [8] Elberling, Balić-Žunić, Edsberg (2003), Environmental Geology, 43, 806. [9]Balic-Zunic, Katerinopoulou, Edsberg (2011), Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie Abhandlungen, 188/1, 31

Page 47 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Kenya

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF ARTISANAL GOLD MINING IN THE MACALDER GOLD MINE AREA OF MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA Odhiambo, B.D.O., [email protected], and D. Ongo, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract In Kenya, most of the gold is mined using artisanal small scale mining (ASM) methods which employ very crude technology.

In the study, primary data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and observation to capture the socio- cultural and economic behavior of the residents around the mines. Purposive sampling enabled selection of knowledgeable respondents from the community. Photographs were taken to depict the situation on the ground, while previous studies formed secondary data sources.

While artisanal mining contributes to the economy by providing employment, increases the gross domestic product and infrastructural development in the mining area, ASM also high-grades deposits. The results indicate that the status of ASM operations is either illegal or semi-legal. They are unsafe, hazardous, and cause a host of environmental problems which include health - poor ventilation leads to carbon-monoxide poisoning; increased concentration of mercury in the environment, and environmental degradation. Poor underground mining techniques leads to collapse of adits, mine flooding, machinery accidents, and poor lighting conditions. Negative social impacts include increased prostitution, HIV/Aids, substance abuse, and gambling. Women and underage children are seriously affected.

It is concluded that mining legislation would reduce the risk and uncertainty for ASM operators and potential investors. Seminars would facilitate information dissemination, knowledge of and control of diseases, safe mining and mineral processing practices, and the need to conform to sound environmental practices. A health clinic should be set up to deal with mercury and heavy metal poisoning in the area.

CONCENTRATION OF SELENIUM IN SOIL AND TEA LEAVES FROM TEA GROWING REGIONS OF KENYA: BIOGEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND GEOMEDICAL IMPLICATIONS OF SELENIUM IN MANAGEMENT OF HIV/ AIDS Beneah D. O. Odhiambo, PhD; [email protected], Mobile: 0727 650 342/053-43266/43620 Ext.201, 289, Moi University, P.O Box 3900 # 30100, Eldoret – Kenya

Abstract Tea is a popular beverage taken by both well to do persons and the poor. It’s relaxing and antioxidant property has been attributed to the trace metal selenium, and in some case to zinc.

In this study, tea and soil samples were collected from the tea growing areas of Kenya, namely Western Kenya region covering the Nandi Hills – Kapsabet – Kericho - Belgut tea growing sector, and the Mount Kenya region covering the Meru – Chuka – Nkubu tea growing sector.

The overall objective of the proposed research was to map out the concentration levels of selenium in soils and tea leaves in the major tea growing regions of Kenya. The specific objectives of the research were: first to map the concentration of selenium in soils and in tea leaves from tea growing regions of Kenya, secondly to corre- late the selenium concentrations between soil and tea leaf samples, and thirdly, to establish areas with high selenium concentration in the biogeochemical samples (tea leaves) from where tea supplements can be obtained for use in clinical management of HIV patients.

Page 48 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER SHORT ARTICLES: Kenya

In order to meet these objectives, the project involved extensive travel and sample collection from various tea estates. The samples collected were then prepared for element analysis for the metallic elements selenium, zinc, copper, manganese and iron. In total, 256 tea leaf samples were collected from Nandi Hills-Kapsabet- Kericho-Belgut region. Most of the tea plots sampled from the Mt. Kenya region are small scale tea holdings. From this region, a total of 125 samples (including 60 conjugate soil samples) were collected for quantitative analyses.

The quantitative element concentration results obtained from the analyses of the tea leaf samples indicate where appreciable concentrations of selenium and the associated metallic elements were obtained. It should be emphasized however that because there are no prior data on selenium concentration in soil and tea leaf samples undertaken in Kenya, the data presented in this study should be treated as baseline data against which data from future successive studies should be compared. Similarly, utmost care must be undertaken during sample preparation for analysis, considering that selenium is actually a difficult element to analyze, since it easily volatilizes at elevated temperatures.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the study set out to establish areas with high selenium concentrations in tea leaves, and not clinical management of HIV patients using tea enriched in selenium as has been interpreted by some of the reviewers. The clinical management of HIV using selenium supplementation has been undertaken in studies cited in this research.

Page 49 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

EVALUATION OF HEALTH IMPACTS IN AN OPEN-PIT MINING AREA IN CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA Miguel Borruel, Diego Fridman1 Gaston Borruel, Daniel Stamboulian Fundación Centro de Estudios Infectológicos (FUNCEI), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Address for correspondence: Dr Diego Fridman, French 3085 C1425AWK CABA Argentina. [email protected] Fax: 054 11 4 809 4206 Financial support: FUNCEI-FIDEC, and Health Ministry Catamarca.

ABSTRACT CAT than national rates. Increased cancer rates corre- The mining industry in Catamarca (CAT), a province sponded predominantly to the central region of the in NW Argentina, has grown over the past decade. province, distant from the mining area. Cancer mor- As a result, concerns regarding environmental and tality rates in CAT were comparable to rates in other health impacts have risen in the local community. regions in Argentina, cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death both in CAT and nation- Objective wide. In Amanao infections (hydatidosis, brucellosis, To assess the impact on health from mining in Bajo trypanosomiasis) and hypertension were the most de la Alumbrera, a gold and copper open-pit mine in common diseases, however lung and skin diseases CAT. were not prevalent.

Methods Conclusions This study involved: evaluation of on-site safety and Despite contamination claims from anti-mining health hazards in mine employees; VisVis river water groups, in this initial surveillance study we found no quality analysis both upstream and downstream from evidence that mining activities increased risk of dis- the mine; interviews in hospital staff and neighbors in ease in the general population. four towns near the mine to analyze effects on health of the population at large; comparison of CAT cancer Key words: mining, health impacts, Catamarca, en- and mortality rates to national levels to assess poten- vironmental contamination tial increased risk. We also performed a field study at Amanao, a settlement located 17 km from the mine, INTRODUCTION involving clinical examination and complementary Over the past decade the mining industry in Argen- studies of 57 individuals > 15 years old (>90% of the tina has grown steadily and environmental pollution population). has become a cause for concern in the local community. Bajo de la Alumbrera is the largest copper and Results gold openpit mine in Argentina and has been work- No health hazards in mine employees were reported, ing since 1997. It is located in the northwestern prov- nor did injuries surpass expected trauma rates. Water ince of Catamarca at an altitude of 2600 meters above quality upstream showed elevated pH, high calcium sea level. The site is located in the mining area Agua and sulphate concentrations and contained strontium, de Dionisio, district of Hualfín, Belén and Andalgalá (indicating natural source from sedimentary rocks). departments in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. Hospital staff at neighboring towns reported no sig- (Figure1) Exploration and exploitation rights belong nificant changes in the epidemiologic profile of local to Yacimientos Mineros de Agua de Dionisio communities. Similarly neighbors did not report dis- (YMAD), a partnership between representatives of eases as a result of contaminated water usage. Inci- the local and national Governments and Tucumán dence rates for breast, prostate, kidney cancers and National University. YMAD has signed a joint- lymphomas in adults were significantly higher in venture agreement with Minera Alumbrera Limited (MAA) for the operation of the mine. Minera Alum-

Page 50 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: OPENPIT MINING IN ARGENTINA

Figure 1 . Bajos de la Alumbrera Location Map. Taken from: http://www.alumbrera.com.ar/institucional.asp brera Limited is owned by Xstrata Plc. based in Swit- zerland (50%) and Canadian companies Goldcorp (37.5%) and Northern Orion Resources Inc. (12.5%). The minerals are extracted using four large-scale electric shovels and transported by a fleet of thirty six 220-ton capacity haul trucks. Through large-scale crushing, grinding and flotation processes Bajo de la Alumbrera mine produces an average of 650000 tons of concentrates a year containing 180000 tons of cop- Figure 2. Bajos de la Alumbrera open-pit mine overview. per and 600000 ounces of gold. Gold is recovered in Taken from: http://www.alumbrera.com.ar/institucional.asp the form of gold doré through gravity processes and from the concentrate. Concentrate slurry from the to opencast mining activities we conducted a study to processing facilities containing 63% solids is trans- assess the effects on the health of the population liv- ported via a 316-km pipeline from the mine to the ing near Bajo de la Alumbrera mine. The project was filter plant located in Cruz del Norte, Tucumán Prov- the result of a cooperation agreement between ince. The concentrate is then transported by rail to a FUNCEI (Fundación Centro de Estudios Infectológi- port in Rosario, province of Santa Fe and shipped to cos) a Non-Profit Organization and the provincial international refineries where it is processed to obtain ministry of health in Catamarca. the final product. (Figure 2) Tailings from the production process flow by gravity to the tailings dis- posal dam, where solid particles are allowed to settle. Given the controversy that has arisen in part of the community concerning potential health hazards due

Page 51 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: OPENPIT MINING IN ARGENTINA

METHODS dwellers were subjected to a complete physical Between January 2010 and September 2010, we con- examination as well as blood tests. Assessment ducted a study which involved different stages and procedures included: anamnesis (a questionnaire methods to obtain the following information: comprising more than 300 questions), physical examination including blood pressure measure- 1. Mine employee on-site safety conditions and ment, dental examination and visual acuity test, health hazards were evaluated by reviewing com- blood oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry, pany safety guidelines and medical records. Also standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, spirometry an opinion poll was conducted to document test and blood serology for Chagas disease. worker views. 2. Vis-Vis river water quality was analyzed both up- Reasons for selecting Amanao for the field study in- stream and downstream from the mine to deter- cluded: a) Location very close to the mine only 17 mine pH and calcium, sulphate, and strontium km south of the site; b) The fact that it is on the concentrations. The Vis-Vis river originates on the banks of the river Vis-Vis, which has historically southern slope of Cerro El Durazno, running 38 provided drinking water for the Amanao community km in a NNW-SSE direction, it flows through the even though treated water is currently available. The mining area following the Amanao fault, runs river flows through the mining area and also drains through Amanao (small town in the department of the tailings dam at Minera Alumbrera, river water Andalgalá) and drains into the Salar del Pipanaco. percolates through the sand bed running from the For the purpose of the study we divided it into two dam in a north south direction, and is subject to a separate sections, the upper river stretching from pump back system as well as quality monitoring of the source to the tailings dam at Minera Alum- water leaving the dam; c) The course of the river runs brera, and the lower river from the tailings dam along canyons within very steep and narrow gullies at wall to Amanao settlement. Samples of lower river times, which channel the north winds blowing from water were taken from the irrigation canal and the the mining area in the direction of the town. potabilization plant. Should environmental changes in the area show an 3. Potential effects on the health of the population impact on human health, analysis of the population of were investigated through interviews with hospital Amanao would provide very valuable information. staff and neighbors in Andalgalá, Belén, Hualfín and Santa Maria, four towns near the mine. Statistics 4. To assess the potential increased risk of cancer or Data were analyzed by chi-squared test using S-Plus higher death rates in adults we compared provin- 6.0. A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically sig- cial and national rates. Provincial cancer rates nificant. were obtained from the Division of Epidemiology Office of Public Health in Catamarca and from the RESULTS Oncology Radiotherapy Center at Valle Viejo. All On-site mine employee safety conditions and cancer patients from Catamarca and La Rioja health hazards provinces receiving radiation therapy are treated at Information provided by the company’s medical cen- this center. National rates were obtained from na- ter showed that no health problems related to specific tional cancer registries. For the purpose of the mining activities had been detected during periodic study the province was divided into 3 regions: checkups conducted in compliance with labor law West, Central and East. Mortality rates for non- requirements. In relation to personnel trauma and in- cancer diseases were obtained from national regis- jury, Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate tries. (TRIFR) was 6.81 with only one fatal accident occur- 5. To assess the health status of the local community ring in 2008. The company has enforced strict poli- we conducted a field study in Amanao, a settle- cies committed to achieve and maintain a safe work- ment located 17 km from the mine in which town ing environment. We observed rigorous protocols

Page 52 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: OPENPIT MINING IN ARGENTINA applied to ensure use of protective equipment and tion was 269 mg/L, and pH value 7.9. Strontium level clothing. was 1.4 mg /L, within accepted limit value in drinking water. With respect to the workers; views, operators interviewed commented on the strengths of working in the Downstream from the mine in the district of Amanao, mining industry: good pay, good job, training, per- the composition of water of the irrigation canal was sonal development. Among the drawbacks mentioned similar to that seen in the water provided from the some workers expressed a certain degree of discrimi- local potabilization plant. (Table 1) nation simply as a result of working in a mine company and also homesickness because of the separa- Interviews with hospital staff and neighbors in tion from their families. four towns near the mine to analyze effects on health of the population at large Vis-Vis river water quality analysis We interviewed four medical directors of the local Along its upper course before running through the hospitals at Andalgalá, Belén, Hualfín and Santa mining area, the Vis-Vis River showed high mineral Maria, all of whom acknowledged that no changes content originating from the underlying rocks in the had been detected in the epidemiological profile of river bed rich in minerals. We observed that the river the population in the area, in particular regarding can- bed was whitish in color due to sulphate deposits. cer incidence rates. (Figure 3) Water analysis revealed high sulfate concentrations reaching 406 mg /L, calcium concentra- Local neighbors at Andalgalá and Belén however were concerned over increasing cancer rates in the region as well as cyanide contamination of drinking water. Despite harboring these opinions, the neighbors interviewed were unable to identify any person presumably suffering from health conditions as a consequence of exposure to mining activities.

Cancer statistics and mortality rates A detailed review of the report published by the On- cology Radiotherapy Center at Valle Viejo for the years 1998 through 2002 showed that most common cancer types were: breast (35.6%), uterine cervix (17.5%), lung (5.8%), esophagus (4.3%), and prostate (4.1%). Fewer patients were treated in 2002 than in the two previous years.

Figure 3 . View of Vis-vis river upstream of the mine We compared data on the incidence of cancer in three

Parameter Method Unit Irrigation canal Potabilization plant pH SM 4500-H B UpH 8.5 8.3 EPA 3005 Strontium A/7780 mg/L 1.0 < 1.0 EPA 3005 Calcium A/7140 mg/L 64.1 61.9 Sulphates SM 4110 B mg/L 372 179 Table 1 Results of Vis-Vis river water analysis in Amanao; pH and element and compound contents in samples from irrigation canal and potabilization plant.

Page 53 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: OPENPIT MINING IN ARGENTINA different regions in Catamarca for the period Novem- Catamarca ber 2007 to June 2010 (Table 2) and also compared Cancer West Region Central Region East Region provincial average level to incidence data at the na- Incidence / 100000 tional level. In adults incidence rates for breast can- Lung 6.6 12.9 10.6 cer, lymphomas, prostate cancer and kidney cancer Colorectal 20 27.2 8.7 were significantly higher in Catamarca than national rates. (Table 3) Uterine Cervix 56.4 49.1 45.6 Esophagus 7.3 6.3 0 Most cancer cases corresponded to the central prov- Stomach 15.9 9.9 12.9 ince, distant from the mining area located in the west. Leukemia 5.3 4.7 5.7 Regarding mortality, the death rate in Catamarca in 2008 was lower than the overall national rate (552.2 Lymphoma* 5.3 14.9 8.6 deaths per 100000 inhabitants versus 760 per 100000 Breast* 90.6 174.4 112.7 inhabitants respectively). The main cause of death Ovary 13.4 14.4 3.6 was cardiovascular disease both at provincial and na- Skin 6.7 6.2 5.4 tional level (27.8% versus 30.8% respectively), fol- Prostate* 43.8 74.3 59 lowed by cancer (14.4% provincial versus 19.5% na- Kidney* 5 12.8 6.1 tional level). With respect to other non-cancer dis- Testicles† 10.2 8.2 8.3 eases, provincial mortality rates for congenital de- * Statistically significant difference. fects, diabetes, gastrointestinal and urinary tract dis- † Due to small sample, West Region was compared to orders were higher than the national average. provincial average

Table 2 Annual cancer rates, November 2007-June 2010, in Field study at Amanao individuals >15 years old in Catamarca according to region. All local inhabitants over 15 years old were invited to participate in the study which was approved by pro- Argentina Catamarca vincial public health authorities. A total of 57 indi- Cancer viduals, 30 men and 27 women (> 90% of the town’s Incidence/100000 population) were assessed. The average number of Lung 35.8 10.7 years people had lived in Amanao was 30.5 years and Colorectal 43.4 21.9 the total sum for all inhabitants was 1741 years; 41 Uterine Cervix 50.6 50.6 persons (72%) had completed primary education and literacy rate was very high (only 1 person could not Esophagus 10.3 5.4 read or write). Most of the population lived in adobe Stomach 12.2 12.2 homes (43, 75%) with a dirt floor, (41, 72%), 11 Leukemia NA 5 (19%) used safe water sources exclusively while the Lymphomas (*) 10.2 11 remainder used water from the river and/or watering Breast (*) 102.1 139.4 canal. Health services in Amanao at the first aid post Ovary NA 12.2 are provided on a daily basis by a nurse and by a phy- Skin NA 6.2 sician who visits once a month. The nearest hospital Prostate (*) 26.6 62.8 is located in Andalgalá, 30 km away. Kidney(*) 3.2 9.4

Testicular 7 8.8 The most prevalent health problems according to anamnesis were infectious diseases: hydatidosis, brucel- NA Not available * Statistically significant difference. losis, trypanosomiasis and enteric parasitosis. Joint Table 3 Annual cancer rates, November 2007-June 2010, in problems were common, 23 persons (40%) suffered individuals > 15 years old at national level and in Catamarca. from arthritis or arthrosis. Another prevalent health

Page 54 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: OPENPIT MINING IN ARGENTINA issue was alcoholism, 21 men (70%) and 2 women strontium concentrations fell within accepted limit (7%) reported excessive drinking. Less than 10% of value in drinking water (7), however the river water the population referred respiratory problems and 11 is not fully suitable for human consumption due to (19%) persons suffered from skin allergies. slight excess of sulfate (8). Near the mine in the district of Amanao, a small water treatment plant pro- On physical examination we found that 47% (14) of vides drinking water to the households in the area, men and 60% (16) of women were either overweight irrigation canals are used also as a source. Water or obese according to BMI; 12 persons (21%) had analysis in terms of the mineral concentrations meas- high blood pressure (BP > 130/90 mm/Hg) although ured, showed that both tap water and canal water electrocardiogram trace was normal in 49; only 10% meet the standards for human drinking water. (6) of the population had good dental health and 35% (20) had good visual acuity. The results of this study were unable to detect any correlation between mining activities and increased Respiratory disease was assessed by spirometry test health risk in the population living near the mine at and pulse oximetry, results were within normal limits Bajo de la Alumbrera. in 83% and 75% of the population respectively. Serology for Chagas disease (trypanosomiasis) was Hospital staff in the mining area reported no signifi- positive in 9 individuals. When questioned on cant changes in the epidemiologic profile of local whether they considered mining activities the cause communities. Similarly neighbors did not report dis- of health problems, 94% of the population responded eases as a result of contaminated water use. negatively. In many cases cancer is thought to be linked to envi- DISCUSSION ronmental factors. If exposure to contamination due Assessing the impact of a policy, program or project to mining activities causes cancer we would have ex- on the health, safety and welfare of the community is pected to see higher cancer rates in the mining area considered an essential part in the decision-making than in non-mining regions. Incidence rates for process on viability for prospective new ventures (4). breast, prostate, kidney cancers and lymphomas were After more than ten years of opencast mining activity significantly higher in Catamarca than national rates. in Catamarca, a province in NW Argentina, many Increased cancer rates however corresponded pre- people have expressed concerns over possible health dominantly to the central region of the province, far hazards resulting from these activities, yet objective away from the mining area. Cancer mortality rates in correlates of negative health impact have not been Catamarca were comparable to rates in other regions found. in Argentina. It is interesting to note that cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death both in The results of this study showed no evidence of in- Catamarca and nationwide. creased risk of disease due to mining activities in mine employees. During the study period we ob- In the settlement of Amanao, infections (hydatidosis, served that personnel health care and safety programs brucellosis, trypanosomiasis) and hypertension were under the jurisdiction of Minera Alumbrera were ade- the most prevalent medical conditions, whereas ill- quate and strictly monitored to enforce compliance. nesses potentially linked to pollution such as lung As regards trauma, the TRIFR for 2008 was below and skin diseases were uncommon. the target rate (5, 6). In order to better understand the impact on health In the area around Bajo de la Alumbrera, the Vis-Vis from exposure to environmental factors in mining river upstream from the mine contains strontium, in- areas, appropriate health surveillance should be un- dicating natural source from sedimentary rocks, dertaken adjusted to local needs. Health impact as-

Page 55 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE: OPENPIT MINING IN ARGENTINA sessment combines different procedures, methods, ICMM, 2009.[cited 2011 08/24] Available from: http:// and tools to assess the potential effects of enterprises www.icmm.com on nearby populations, and to make recommenda- Minera Alumbrera. Informe de Sostenibilidad 2008 [Internet]. tions regarding mitigation measures. (9, 10) Under- Hualfin, Catamarca: Minera Aumbrera YMAD-UTE, 2009. taking a health impact assessment before launching [cited 2011 08/24]. Available from: http:// high scale mining programs could provide useful in- www.xstrata.com/assets/pdf/xcu_sustainability_2008_alumbrer formation and help stakeholders, including local a.sp.pdf Spanish communities and government authorities, make evi- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicologi- dence based decisions related to productive activities. cal Profile for Strontium [Internet]. Atlanta, GA: US Depart- In addition, we recommend a team of on-site experts ment of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, be appointed in order to detect health-related events 2004 April. [cited 2011 06/01]. Available from: presumably linked to environmental contamination in http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts159.pdf a timely and reliable way, thus providing objective Secretaría de Agricultura Pesca y Ganadería. Código Alimenta- epidemiological evidence and implementing preven- rio Argentino [Internet]. CABA, Arg: Ministerio de Agricultura, tive measures and appropriate control actions. Ganadería y Pesca, Presidencia de la Nación, 1969. [updated 2010; cited 2011 06/01] Available from: http:// Competing interests. The authors declare that they www.alimentosargentinos.gov.ar/programa_calidad/marco_reg ulatorio/caa.asp Spanish have no competing interests. Institute of Public Health in Ireland. Health Impact Assessment Acknowledgements. We thank the Ministry of Guidance [Internet]. Belfast Ireland: The Institute of Public Health in Catamarca, all of the hospital directors at Health in Ireland, 2006 [cited 2011 03/25]. Available from: Analgalá, Belén and Santa María y San Fernando del http://www.publichealth.ie/hia

Valle de Catamarca and the people of Amanao for International Council on Mining and Metals. Good Practice their good disposition and cooperation with the study. Guidance on Health Impact Assessment [Internet]. London UK: We also thank Dr Cynthia Vartalitis for her help in ICMM, 2010 [cited 2011 08/24]. Available from: ICMM, preparing the manuscript. www.icmm.com

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Borruel MA, Mas IP, Borruel GD. Estudio de carga de enfermedad Argentina. 1era ed. Buenos Aires: Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; 2010.

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Page 56 MEDICAL GEOLOGY NEWSLETTER PORTO SANTO’ ISLAND: UNIQUE NATURAL HEALTH RESORT Celso de Sousa Figueiredo Gomes ([email protected]); João Baptista Pereira Silva ([email protected])

EARTH, THE SOURCE OF HEALTH AND HAZARDS (AN INTRODUC- TION TO MEDICAL GEOLOGY), Abdolmajid Yaghubpur (2012). In Persian: