Argentina

Updated March 2018

Chapter Leader:

Dr. Diego Fridman, Director, Research Department, FUNCEI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
E-mail: diegofridman@yahoo.com; dfridman@stamboulian.com.ar

Chapter Website: www.geologiamedica.org.ar
Chapter E-mail: info@geologiamedica.org.ar

The IMGA Local Chapter in Argentina was established in 2010.

March 2018

Report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Diego Fridman:

• Medical Geology: Specialization in Health and Environment for Physicians. University of Buenos Aires. Argentina. April 2017.
• Workshop on Geologic Resources. Degree in Environmental Sciences. Faculty of Agriculture. University of Buenos Aires. Argentina. June 2017.
• XX Congreso Geológico Argentino. Tucumán. Argentina. Agosto 2017. The following works were presented:
  1. Research Program in Medical Geology. A proposal for integration of Health Sciences, Basic Sciences and the Environment: adding efforts for risk reduction and sustainable development. Fridman Diego, Diana Mutti y Claudia Vaamonde. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires –UBA -CONICET Área Geología Minera Sustineo –UBA. Pabellón II, Depto. de Ciencias Geológicas, Ciudad Universitaria. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Medical Geology is the discipline that studies the impact of processes and geological materials on the health of people, in addition to those arising from the chain generated by anthropic processes.
     Establishing a determinant link between geological elements and their effects on health has methodological difficulties that can be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective that incorporates the vision of the health sciences and the environment as well as the humanistic ones. The objectives of the Program are: Generate the interaction of researchers from the environmental sciences (natural sciences, mainly Geology), health and humanistic, to develop research projects oriented to study the impact on human health, the natural and / or anthropic processes associated with nonrenewable and renewable natural resources, and their interaction with the environment, Collaborate in the dissemination of acquired knowledge, through teaching activities and interaction with the community, Advise and assist public and / or private entities on issues related to medical geology. It is expected that the development of the research program in Medical Geology will collaborate in the study of risk reduction and sustainable development, and integrate the different perspectives of this complex entity.
  2. Role of iron and abrasivity of volcanic ashes in respiratory health. A contribution to the management of risks disasters. Vaamonde Claudia 1, 2; Nievas Ricardo 2, 3; Fridman Diego 4; Aragón Eugenio5; González Pablo Diego 6; Cavarozzi Claudia7; Stevenazzi José Eduardo2; Pérez Sindy8. 1 Médica (UBA). Cardióloga (Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires). Licenciatura en Geología FCNyM_UNLP. Miembro de la Asociación de Geología Médica. 2 Docente del Instituto Universitario de la Policía Federal Argentina. (IUPFA). 3 Director de la Carrera de Siniestros del Instituto Universitario de la Policía Federal Argentina. (IUPFA). 4 Médico (UBA) Magister en Investigación y Monitoreos de Ensayos Clínicos. Stamboulian Servicios de Salud, Buenos Aires. Presidente Asociación Argentina de Geología Médica. 5 Geólogo Investigador Profesor Titular de la Cátedra de Petrología I (Ígnea) FCNyM_UNLP. 6 Investigador Geólogo Profesor titular de Petrología Ígneo-Metamórfica de la Universidad de Río Negro. Instituto de Investigaciones en Paleobiología y Geología. 7Investigador. Geoquímica Profesora. Titular Cátedra de Geoquímica UNLP-FCNyM. 8Estudiante de la Carrera de Siniestros de la Policía Federal Argentina. (IUPFA). Policía de la Provincia de Neuquén. This project seeks to study the mechanism and the actual extent to which, after a recent eruption and emission of volcanic ash, respiratory pathologies appear in affected populations. Specifically, we will focus on the population that lives in the Gral. Roca area. In the first time, we will study the geological hazards of volcanic ash from two Chilean volcanoes, such as Calbuco and Caulle (Puyehue-Cordón Caulle). We will study the chemical composition, mineralogical, granulometric, morphological (abrasivity) of the ashes emitted in 2011 and 2015 by the volcanic apparatuses that affected the vicinity of the locality of General Roca, Pcia of Rio Negro, Argentina. Second, we will study the growth of bacterial colonies in specific culture media, with volcanic ash, in order to be able to analyze the influence of iron and Lactoferrin on the size of the colonies. The volcanic ash textures will also be compared in order to determine the abrasiveness of the volcanic ash and its potential negative effect on respiratory health. Finally, we will analyze the incidence of Community Acquired Pneumonia (NAC) in the population of General Roca after the eruption of 2015, specifically in the population aged over 18 years and in that which is considered high risk as is the Over 65 years old. Our study is a contribution, from the perspective of geology and disaster risk management, to the prevention of vulnerable societies.
• Participation in MedGeo2017: Symposium conference on Medical Geoecology and the health issues of geological surveys, prospecting works and mining production. Environmental Epidemiology and Health Effects of Mining in Argentina. Diego Fridman MD, MSc. Moscow. September 2017.
• Dr. Diego Fridman participated as Professor in the Specialization in Mining Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences. University of Buenos Aires. Topics on Medical Geology. September 2017.
• We regret to inform you that on September 28, our colleague and friend, Dr. Eduardo Santini Araujo, passed away. Eduardo was a pioneer of Medical Geology in Argentina.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

Report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Diego Fridman:

Workshop on Geologic Resources. Degree in Environmental Sciences. Faculty of Agriculture. University of Buenos Aires. Argentina. June 2016.

Medical Geology for the Pathologist. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF PATHOLOGY. Argentine Division. May 2016.

Dr. Diego Fridman participated as a Professor in the Specialization in Mining Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences. University of Buenos Aires. Topics on Medical Geology. September 2016.

In the last six months, we have worked hard to develop the Argentina Medical Geology Association (AAGM) www.geologiamedica.org.ar e-mail address: info@geologiamedica.org.ar.

October 2015

Report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Diego Fridman:

In the last six months, we have worked hard to develop the Argentina Medical Geology Association (AAGM: www.geologiamedica.org.ar, e-mail info@geologiamedica.org.ar).  We had the opportunity to spread concepts of medical geology:

• Workshop on Geologic Resources. Degree in Environmental Sciences. Faculty of Agriculture. University of Buenos Aires. Argentina. May 2015.
• Medical Geology for Pathologist. Specialization in Pathology. International Academy of Pathology. Argentine Chapter. Maimonides University. Buenos Aires. Argentina. August 2015.
• Dr. Diego Fridman participated as Professor in the Specialization in Mining Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences. University of Buenos Aires. Topics on Medical Geology. September 2015.
• 11º Simposio de Geología Aplicada a la Ingeniería y al Ambiente (ASAGAI). Asociación Argentina de Geología Médica was part of the opening ceremony. We were speakers, presenting “Medical Geology: influence of minerals in health”. September 2015.

June 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Diego Fridman:

In the last six months, we have worked hard to develop the Argentina Medical Geology Association (AAGM). The website and logo of the Association are: www.geologiamedica.org.ar.

We also participated in public discussions on the relevance of health impact assessment before the start of major anthropic activities.

2014

In the last six months, the Members have worked hard to develop the Argentina Medical Geology Association (AAGM): http://www.geologiamedica.org.ar.

The following activities were undertaken:

• Workshop on Geologic Resources Degree in Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Buenos Aires, June 2014.
• Workshop for union workers in mining industry, Kennedy University, Buenos Aires, August 2014.
• Participation in public discussions on the relevance of health impact assessment before the start of major anthropic activities, Province of Chubut, Argentina, August 2014.

2012

The Local Chapter is in the process of creation of The Argentine Association of Medical Geology, local designation of the IMGA’s Argentine Chapter. All the documentation was submitted to the IGJ (General Inspection of Justice) in July 2012. We hope to have authorization to initiate activities for late 2012. The next step is to build the website that will be linked to IMGA’s website.

Other News

• August 2012: Dr. Diego Fridman participated as Professor in the Specialization in Mining Geology, Faculty of Natural Sciences. University of Buenos Aires. Topics on Medical Geology. Continue in 2013.
• September-October 2012: Dr. Eduardo Santini Araujo was elected as president of the International Academy of Pathology for the period 2014-2016.
• September-October 2012: Dr. Eduardo Santini Araujo was the Co-Chair, with Dr. José Antonio Centeno, of the World Congress of Academic and Environmental Pathology. Cape Town. South Africa:
• “Pathology, Toxi-cology and Public Health Impacts of Environmental Disasters”. The Chair was Dr. Florabel G. Mullick.
• September-October 2012: Dr. Diego Fridman participated in the XXIX International Congress of the Academy of Pathology and World Congress of Academic and Environmental Pathology. Cape Town,
• South Africa, as a speaker in the symposium “Pathology, Toxicology and Public Health Impacts of Environmental Disasters”. The title of the presentation was: “Past, present and future of mining in Argentina and its impact on the health of communities: from disaster to a safer practice”.

The Argentine Chapter is very active and has 5 members. These comprise dentists; one specialized in Biomaterials for medical and dental use and medical doctors, one specialized in infectious diseases and two pathologists.

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 biologically-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 hos-pitals, 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 designation 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.

2011

The Argentina Chapter is very active and has 6 members: three dentists one specialized in biomaterials for medical and dental use and three medical doctors, one specialized in infectious diseases and two pathologists. Dr. Daniel Olmedo participated as a speaker in the Symposium of Environmental Pathology at The XXVIII International Congress of the International Academy of Pathology, Sao Paulo 2010 with Dr. José Centeno and Dr. Florabel Mullick. Dr. Eduardo Santini-Araujo together with Dr. Mullick were co-chairs of the Symposium. Dr. Diego Fridman, a member of the IMGA Argentine Chapter, presented a paper at Bari in the GEOMED 2011 4th International Conference on Medical Geology: Miguel Borruel, Diego Fridman, Gaston Borruel, Daniel Stamboulian, Evaluation of Health Impact in an open-pit mining area in Catamarca, Argentina. The Argentine IMGA Chapter organized its Annual Meeting in July 2011. This was held in the Central Army Hospital, with 26 people registered. The meeting had as its central topic the pathology produced by the biological use of materials.