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Yunfan Li

Chapters

Italy

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Chapter Leader: Prof. Saverio Fiore, Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis-CNR, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy; Adjunct Professor of Mineralogy, University of Basilicata
E-mail: saverio.fiore@cnr.it

The IMGA Local Chapter in Italy was established in 2010.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr Saverio Fiore: No report this time.  Chapter currently under reorganisation.

2014

Members of the Italian Chapter of IMGA were involved in the organization of the 1st International Conference on Atmospheric DUST, held in June in Italy. The Conference was endorsed by the IMGA and there were several sessions related to the Medical Geology. Details on DUST 2014 are reported as a separate full report on the IMGA website.

During last months, the group continued carried out researches on experimental dissolution of asbestos fibres and on the influence on potentially dangerous and toxic elements on the environment.

Members are also involved in the editorial work related to the publication of the conference proceedings.

Presently many members of the Italian Chapter are involved in the organization of another conference: AMAM 2015, the 1st International Conference on Applied Mineralogy and Advanced Materials (AMAM 2015; www.amam2015.org).

See the Members Section of the website for some additonal reporting.

*******

The group has identified several health risk factors connected to geology in Southern Italy, including potential natural metal contamination of spring waters and naturally occurring asbestos and its connection with some cases of mesothelioma occurring amongst people living in some areas of the Pollino massif.

This research group also performed laboratory and bench scale experiments providing interesting results about the immobilization of toxic elements using zeolite synthesized directly in polluted soil under conditions as close to the natural ones as possible.

Andrea Masotti, is involved in a team project related to arsenic contamination and its effect on human health with special emphasis to polymorphisms of genes involved in the metabolism of inorganic arsenic in a paediat-ric population. He also edited a book on this subject (Arsenic: Sources, Environmental Impact, Toxicity and Human Health – A Medical Geology Perspective, Nova Science Pub.) describing the several steps from arsenic speciation in rocks, water and environment in general, through the contamination of rice-based foods in infants diet, up to the devastating effects on human health.

The study of the environmental influence on the geographical distribution of urinary stones in Basilicata re-gion, led by one of our members Maria Luigia Giannossi, won a 2012 national prize, sponsored by the regional government, as the best Ph.D. thesis.

A meeting about the role of Medical Geology in Italy was organized by a member of the Chapter (Paolo Valera) to promote the importance of this new discipline that uses an interdisciplinary approach to solve problems related to environment and human health. More than 150 attendees took part in the Conference. All the research results were published in international publications.

In 2012 the members of the Chapter participated in the following Conferences presenting their research:
– Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health (SESEH 2012), 20-25 August, Galway, Ireland;
– 9th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry, 15th– 21th July, Aveiro, Portugal;
– The 2nd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technology Processes, 8-12 October, Mi-skolc-Lillafured, Hungary;
– 6th Mid-European Clay Conference – MECC 2012, September 4 – 9, 2012 in Pruhonice, Czech Republic;
– EMC2012-European Mineralogical Conference, 2-6 September 2012, Frankfurt, Germany.

GEOMED 2011

The Italian Chapter is very active and has 10 members, all environmental scientists. The Chapter did an outstanding job of organising the 4th International Conference on Medical Geology GEOMED2011 in Bari, Italy, in September 2011. The members of this Chapter are also involved in the following Medical Geology projects: risk evaluation of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA); airborne particles; natural vs. anthropogenic provenance; mineral dissolution by lung fluids; experimental investigation on smectite and tremolite; kidney stones; influence of geological/environmental factors.

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Chapters

Iran

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Chapter Leader: To Be Advised
E-mail: –

The IMGA Local Chapter in Iran was established in 2008.

June 2017
No update.

December 2016

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Pariza Piroozfar:

The regional meeting of ECO Member States was held in October 2016 in Iran. Scientists from 10 countries participated in the event. The meeting was inaugurated by Ministry of Industries and Mines of Iran, Geological Survey of Iran (GSI) and the general secretary of ECO. The participants delivered their speeches and proposals in different fields of geology.

The proposal on “Identification of Geological Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases Incidence in ECO Member States region” was presented by the Iranian chapter of IMGA.

One of the oldest diseases of mankind is cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which is very widely distributed throughout the world and represents one of the major problems that causes significant morbidity. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is variable according to geographical areas but is endemic in some regions. According to a new report, the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highest in Central Asia and Middle East than Western countries where it often afflicts young, working-age adults.

ECO Member States are located in the geographical distribution belt of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Consequently, regional research on identification of geographic risk factors of the disease etiology are necessary. Unfortunately, relatively little work has been carried out on this field. So scientists from all countries of the ECO Member States should be brought together to address this global issue to prepare disease distribution maps in relation to the geogenic and environmental factors. Recognizing the geographical distribution of this disease helps long-term planning to recognize the disease origin and therefore preventing future outbreaks. Given the strategic importance of this region, preparing medical geology maps will help to play an important role in the regional macro policies.

In this project we will examine the relationship between regional geology (lithology), hydro-geochemistry (water hardness), soil type and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. This project will provide new data on the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and can open up new possibilities in developing programs of prevention and organized treatment of diseases that take into account the geographical and geological characteristics of its distribution.

October 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Pariza Piroozfar:

The Iran Chapter has been undergoing restructuring during the last year, but has recently been involved in the following research project:

Environmental Geochemistry and Hydro-geochemistry Studies in Urmia Lake basin

Urmia Lake is the third largest salt lake in the world and its basin is remarkable in the country from climatological, economical, ecological and environmental point of view. The water level of the lake, has been fluctuating periodically during several last years and today is to dry for different reasons. One of the concerns about drying of lake is health and well-being of inhabitants in surrounding area. Some scientists believe that the condition of Urmia Lake is completely comparable with drying Aral Sea. The Aral Sea is located in Central Asia, between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. In the 60s, the Soviet Union with the aim of developing agriculture and industry, deflected the two main rivers recharging Aral Sea which caused drying up the sea. During the process, water-soluble heavy metal compounds released by chemical weapons manufacturing industry, turned into crystal and dispread by wind blowing in surrounding areas. After that, a remarkable outbreak of diseases such as changes in reproductive and fetal growth, increasing mental disabilities, infertility, tuberculosis, anemia and respiratory disease, endocrine dysfunction, arthritis, liver, kidney and urinary tract cancers, typhoid fever, behavioral changes and skin cancer were reported from this area. Urmia Lake is situated in one of the industrial and agricultural areas of the country but unfortunately due to lack of environmental monitoring, many factories release their sewage toward the lake. The released sewage contains toxic elements and compounds which threat the environment by contamination of stream sediments and water aquifers. Reduction of soil and sediment moisture of dried lands, causes rising of deposited toxic compounds (heavy metals, pesticides and salts) in the form of dust by wind.  Respiration of these toxic particles seriously threats the health of inhabitants. Western border of Urmia Lake has significant importance due to concentration of urban and rural populated centers, rich soil resources, agricultural and livestock activities. This project aimed to identify the distribution pattern of toxic elements and heavy metals in soil and sediments and study the quality of underground water resources in western border of the lake. It finally ended to preparation of geochemical and hydro-geochemical maps of the area.

(Photos available in member section)

Background on Lake Urmia from United Nations Environment Programme: The Drying of Iran’s Lake Urmia and its Environmental Consequences [article added by webmaster]

June 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Pariza Piroozfar:

No report this time.

2014

An International Symposium on Medical Geology was held in Tehran in June 2010. For details click here.

The Iran Chapter has also produced a Medical Geology atlas of Iran:

Elements and Diseases Map of Iran Part 1

Elements and Diseases Map of Iran Part 2

Elements and Diseases Map of Iran Part 3

Elements and Diseases Map of Iran Part 4

2012

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:

Establishment of a Workgroup on Medical Geology Research

Our intention for this workgroup is to provide a qualified platform for collaboration between experts in differ-ent 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, Mines, and Trade (GSI)

Ministry of industries and mines and Ministry of Health and Medical Education signed a cooperation agree-ment 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; or-ganizing 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.

2011

The Iranian Chapter is very active and has 16 members. These are a mixture of environmental geoscientists and medical professionals. The Chapter organised the very successful First International Medical Geology Symposium of Iran at the Geological Survey of Iran in June 2010, with a message from Professor Olle Selinus. It included several medical geology sessions in different geology and mineralogy seminars. A conference report is available in the IMGA Newsletter 18. The Medical Geology Centre of the Geological Survey of Iran has also sent a preliminary proposal for preparing an Atlas of the World Medical Geology to UNESO. The Atlas of Medical Geology of Iran has already been published by the Medical Geology Centre of the Geological Survey of Iran and a copy of it was presented to Professor Olle Selinus.

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Chapters

Haiti

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Prof Evens Emmanuel, Dept. of Health and Environment, University of Quisqueya, 218 Avenue Jean Paul II, Haut de Turgeau, HT6114 Port-au-Prince, Haiti
E-mail: evens.emmanuel@gmail.com

Chapter Secretary:

Simon Yanick, Dept. of Health and Environment, University of Quisqueya, 218 Avenue Jean Paul II, Haut de Turgeau, HT6114 Port-au-Prince, Haiti
E-mail: dr.simonyanick2007@yahoo.fr

Treasurer:

Tony Jean-Pierre Cajouste, Dept. of Health and Environment, University of Quisqueya, 218 Avenue Jean Paul II, Haut de Turgeau, HT6114 Port-au-Prince, Haiti
E-mail: jepcato@yahoo.fr

The IMGA Local Chapter in Haiti was established in 2013.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.

2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Evens Emmanuel:

No report this time.

 

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Chapters

Bulgaria

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Chapter Leader: Prof Krasimira Staneva, Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy (BAGG), Sofia University, hk G. Delchev, bl. 7A, B1404 Sofia, Bulgaria
E-mail: bagg.ks@gmail.com; staneva_ krasimira@yahoo.com
Tel: +359 899 000676
Tel: +359 2 8587687

BAGG Website: http://www.bagg-bg.org

The Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy (BAGG) acts as the IMGA Local Chapter in Bulgaria, established in 2012.

June 2017

No report.

December 2016

Projects Activity

BAGG was a member of the organising committee of the Balkan round table. For the first time we presented with our partners scientific innovations, strategies, concepts, creative business products, design tools and new policies to motivate cluster international responsibility on a culture of quality inthe training of young people and using water for health, prevention, longevity and / or treatment.

Erasmus+ Teaching Mobility- prof. Staneva was an Erasmus lecturer at the Metropolitan University Budapest, Hungary.

BAGG prepared six environmental assessment reports (EIA) of the Municipalities development plans.

  • Members of BAGG presented papers at international scientific Conferences:
  • Annual University Scientific Conference 2016, National Military University , V. Tarnovo. Шести Кoнгрес здравствених радника, Serbia.
  • НПК”«Геологическая медицина в решении актуальных задач туристического комплекса (ГеоМедТур – 2016)- Russia.
  • 1st Croatian Direct Marketing Association Conference, Croatia, 2016.
  • 10th International Scientific Conference THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE, POK – 2016, Agia Triada, Greece.
  • International Conference “New ideas in education”, BFU, Bourgas, 2016 г.
  • “International Scientific Conference “Management and Sustainable Development” 2016, Yundola. C.

List of Publications

Marinov, E., S.Tzvetkova, K. Staneva, 2016. Changes in cognitive abilities of children with disorders learning under impact of sensory- motor therapy. KNOWLEDGE International Journal Scientific papers , ISSN 1857-92., Vol. 13.3, 315-319.

Staneva, K. 2016. The Implementation of HSE Management System model in Wellness, medical SPA and SPA tourism in Bulgaria-requirement and advantages. Yale Journal of Science and Education., N1(18) January-June, vol. X, 622-629.

Staneva, K. 2016 . An evaluation of the potential of Cross- border region Bulgaria-Serbia for development of Wellness, medical SPA and SPA tourism – possibilities and perspectivе. ATLAS Tourism and Leisure Review ,Vol. 2016 – 3: Health, Wellness and Spa Tourism in the Balkans, ISSN 2468 – 6719, 43-58, Netherlands.

Staneva, K., 2016. Prerequisites for balanced development of Wellbeing and Medical SPA in Bulgaria. CRODMA, Croatia, ISSN 2459-7953, 103-111.

Staneva, K., 2016. Management of Geomedical tourism. Knoweledge, International Journal Scientific Papers Vol. 14.3, ISSN 1857-92, 1163-1169.

E. Vachkova, К. Staneva, 2016. An evaluation of the potential of Cross- border region Bulgaria-Serbia for the development of Wellness, medical SPA and SPA tourism – possibilities and perspectives (part II). CRODMA, Zagreb, ISSN 2459-7953, 1-11.

Staneva, K., 2016. Challenges and changes in the development of international tourism destinations with focus on rebuilding structures after economical, political and natural crisis. BFU, t. I, 110-115. ISBN 978-619-7126-27-3.

Станева, К., 2016. Възможности за интегриране на туристическите услуги в лесоустройството. (An identification of touristic services in region Rhodopes). Сп. Управление и устойчиво развитие, ЛТУ (in Bulgarian).

Станева, К., Е. Цветкова, 2016. Геомедицински предпоставки за повишаване качеството на живот в Трансграничен район България- Сърбия. Сп. Управление и устойчиво развитие., ЛТУ , 18, vol. 54 (in Bulgarian)

Станева, К., Е. Маринов, Е. Цветкова, 2016. Приложение на антропометричните показатели като индикатор за екологично замърсяване. Изд. Комплекс на НВУ „В. Левски” (in Bulgarian).

Станева, К., Е. Цветкова, 2016. Геомедицинска оценка на качеството на живот в урбанизирана среда . Изд. Комплекс на НВУ „В. Левски” (in Bulgarian).

Expert Activity

  • BAGG participated in the Austrian Business Circle (ABC)- as a member of informal gathering of Austrian firms doing business in Bulgaria, our Branch supported some events for improving the quality of life of Bulgarian people.

2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Krasimira Staneva:

1. Organization of International Water Day 2015 Event in Sofia
BAGG and IMGA as a partner in organization of the International Water Day 2015 managed the student presentations on water safety and quality topics. Our partners were Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment and Water, Sofia Municipality, Bulgarian National Radio, National Sport Academy, Forestry University, Medical College, Bulgarian Touristic Chamber, etc.The main objective of the online campaign is to present worldwide the new culture among Bulgarian young people: “Water for global health” and convert into available practice the concept – “Wellness for everyone.”

Specific objectives:

  • The Forum combines support to the new governmental policies for sustainable development of Spa & Wellness & Thalasso tourism in Bulgaria.
  • Helping to promote the unique healing power of Bulgarian mineral water worldwide and the culture of a Wellness lifestyle.
  • Provide scientific evidences for the Spa & Wellness & Thalasso industry as a driving force for economic growth and sustainable development.
  • To build a strong international network of successful lobbying in support of Bulgarian mineral resources.

http://www.globalwaterhealth.org/Concept_UGlobal_Water_Health.pdf
http://www.intwaterbridge.org/contact.html
2. Participation in National Forestry Week
Organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Food and National Scientific Conference: Nature, Forest, Society.
Prof. Staneva presented: Forestry tourism – opportunities and challenges. The Program is available at http://www.blrs.eu/konfer.html.
3. Presentation of Final Environmental Impact Assessment
Project looking at an Investor’s Plan to the Regional Agency of the Environment and Water for the District of Rousse. BAGG obtained positive estimate of the Environmental Report. The team of BAGG received positive feedback from RIOEW.
4. Prof. Krasimira Staneva was a visiting lecturer at BKF-Budapest University of Applied Sciences, Hungary.
Content of the teaching programme:
• BSc Program
Wellness tourism and quality of life
The HSE Management System and QMS models in Spa and Wellness sector.
• MSc Program
Thermal Spa in Balkan region
Impact of environmental characteristics on quality of Health and Spa tourism
Geomedical Tourism- philosophy and goals
5. Certification of Bulgarian Medical Spa
BAGG members are working on new standards for Certification of Bulgarian Medical Spa, Wellness and Thalasso centres. Kr. Staneva is a member of the Government Working Group for elaboration of Regulations (according to new Tourism Law).
Global Water Health –
Wellness for Everyone
International Water Bridge 2015 Bulgaria Event		 Ceremony of Honorary
Ambassador of Wellness Culture
International Water Day 2015		 National Forestry Week
“Forests – Bridge to the Future”
Scientic Conference “Nature, forest, society“

2014

Here is a brief summary of project activities.

  • BAGG has provided special creative education project: “Our students – healthy by geomedical tourism”
    The project is very new for Bulgaria and our association promoted the geomedical tourism possibilities to students from Medical University Sofia. The scope of project is to obtain enough professional  skills in the area of  first aid in outdoor and forest activities and  to become a trainer for the geomedical route in the forest.
    Participants: Medical University Sofia – 40 students, specialty Rehabilitation and Pharmacy, 5 professors
    BAGG: 10 ecologists, forestry  engineers, medical doctors, tourism specialists
    Duration: 1.10.2014 – 1.03.2015
  • BAGG has developed forest health tourism destinations and promoted special ones aimed to different age groups: 4-14 ages, 15-19 ages and 55+ ages.
  • BAGG as a partner with Serbia, Hungary, Croatia and Monte Negro has presented “Implementation of Forest medicine protocols at health tourism and development of public health.”
  • Participation in International project Balkan Wellbeing 3rd Workshop andATLAS conference Tourism, Travel and Leisure Sources of Wellbeing, Happiness and Quality of Life in Budapest, Hungary (21.10-24.10.2014). BAGG will present investigation results in the area of Implementation of Geomedical tourism in Balkan region.

2012

The Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy (BAGG), has recently joined IMGA as an Institutional 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.

Project information of the Bulgarian Association of Geomedicine and Geotherapy BAGG (2011-2012): http://www.bagg-bg.org

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 spe-cific 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 environ-ment, 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.
  • 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

Staneva, K., 2008. Impact of geopathogenic stress on human health. Geology and Mineral Resource, v. 10, p. 37-42.
Staneva, K., 2009. Geomedicine and Geotherapy- perspectives and development in Bulgaria., Geology and Mineral Resource, v. 10, p. 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. Geology and Mineral Resource, 4.
Staneva, K., 2011. Geoecological estimate of urban areas with gas stations. Geology and Mineral Resource.
Staneva, K., Marinov, E., 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.

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Chapters

Bolivia

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

José Luis Aramayo Mérida, Environmental & Health Specialist. Bolivian Academy of Medicine, Partners for Development – PROSALUD, Av. Del Periodista D6 Meseta de Achumani, La Paz, Bolivia
E-mail: jlaramayo@gmail.com

Chapter Website: http://imga14.wix.com/imgabolivia

The IMGA Local Chapter in Bolivia was established in 2009.

June 2017

No report.

December 2016

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader José Luis Aramayo Mérida:

During 2016 the Bolivian Chapter of Medical Geology has participated in the elaboration and publication of scientific material for public dissemination:

Article and photography; Falco sparverius: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine December / 2016.

Article and photography; Saltator aurantiirostris / Golden-billed Saltator: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine November / 2016. Article and photography: Rollandia rolland / White-tufted grebe: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine October / 2016.

Article and photography: Plegadis ridgwayi / Puna Ibis: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine September / 2016.

Article and photography: Colibri coruscans / Sparkling Violetear: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine August / 2016.

Article and photographs: Colaptes rupicola / Andean Carpenter: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine July / 2016.

Article and photographs: Patagona gigas / Giant Andean Hummingbird: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine June / 2016.

Article and photographs: Psilopsiagon aymara / Grey-hooded Parakeet: DXT Magazine (published). DXT Magazine May / 2016.

November 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader José Luis Aramayo Mérida:

We are only three active members in the Bolivia Chapter.  The past six months we have developed the following activities:

  • Coordinate periodic meetings with members of the Chapter.  We have periodic meetings to decide activities and analyze the next project and Chapter situation.
  • In order to have trainings on Medical Geology, Environment Assessment and other topics our members have been making contacts and meetings with organizations and institutions that work in fields like medical sciences, environment sciences, secondary and university education.
  • We have started meetings to discuss the relevance to obtain a legal status as organization in Bolivia to have the chance to get financial support for our projects.
  • The chapter started a new partner relationship with the most important organization in Bolivia in water and sanitation field.

Our members are working in the following related areas related with IMGA:

  • Water and sanitation
  • Environmental assessment
  • Environmental management
  • Health
  • Occupational Health.

We strongly believe in research as an important tool to control the environmental pollution, and want to get a fund to conduct investigation in our country.  Unfortunately at this time Bolivia has limited research funds, NGOs and cooperation agencies have no budgets.

June 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Jose Luis Aramayo Merida:

No report this time.

2014

The past six months we have developed the following activities:

  1. Coordinating periodic meetings with members of the Chapter.

We have periodic meetings to decide activities and analyze the next project and chapter situation.

  1. Institutional contacts.

In order to have training on Medical Geology, Environment Assessment and other topics our members have been making contacts and meetings with organizations and institutions that work in fields like medical sciences, environment sciences, secondary and university education; all those activities are developed under the following project:

PROJECT TITLE: Introduction to medical geology and training for hospital waste management: fighting against the risk of water pollution, soil, air and damage to human health.

  1. Update of our website.

We periodically update our web site http://imga14.wix.com/imgabolivia. With information about our recent activities, articles and future projects.

  1. Technical guidance of undergraduate research project.

Diagnosis of occupational hazards of recycled waste collectors and reusable Max Paredes district of La Paz city. This project is developed to find all the potential risks of the recycling activity in the chosen district of La Paz City. The main contribution of the investigation will be the identification of risks associated with the activity and the proposed security measures.

  1. Project involvement: As chapter we have been involved in the following investigation projects:

– Incorporation of decentralized sustainable sanitation in portfolio services provided by water and sewer entities

– Design of regulatory instruments relating to follow, operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plant

– Assessment of Lluto community project: integral development of indigenous communities sector Aymaras.

– Environmental assessment: “improving milk production in indigenous communities in the highlands of La Paz, Bolivia.

2012

Based on different criteria and experience of active members, as well as the environmental characteristics of Bolivia have been defined following future projects:

  • Training and awareness to students and professionals in fields like medicine, engineering, social sciences.
  • Raising funds for applied research.
  • Implementation of the outcome of the investigation.

Medical Geology in Bolivia

Medical Geology in Bolivia was driven by Dr. Jaime Rios Dalenz who visualized the importance of developing the discipline in Bolivia and made the necessary contacts to enable the creation of a national chapter that brings together specialists in different areas related to theme.

The Bolivian Chapter was officially established on April 9, 2009 during the First Bolivian Symposium on “Environment, Health and Medical Geology” which was organized in La Paz, Bolivia under the auspices of the Bolivian Academy of Medicine, Partners for Development  (PROSALUD) of Bolivia and financial support of USAID/B. This Chapter is composed of over 25 members involving the participation of students and professionals from medical sciences, geosciences, and the environmental and public health communities and with representations from all over Bolivia. Read the 2009 report from the Bolivian chapter here.

During The 3rd Hemispheric Conference on Medical Geology Held in Montevideo, 12-16th October, 2009, a delegation from the Bolivian chapter participated in different activities planned for this event, achieving greater understanding of the problematic of the world.

One of the main objectives of the Bolivian chapter is to achieve understanding and importance of the effects of human activity and geological on the quality and state of the environment.

Active Members

Active Members of the Bolivian Chapter of the IMGA meet periodically to define the activities to be performed, to develop the theme and involve more people. They include:

  • NAME: Lia Clara López Sullaez
    PROFESSION: Univ. student
  • Patricia Morales Rios
    PROFESSION: MD – Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Alina Manrriquez Caceres
    PROFESSION: Sanitary Engineer
  • NAME: Diego A. Valdez Cárdenas
    PROFESSION: MD – Medical Surgeon
  • NAME: José Luis Aramayo Mérida

Our Mission

The mission of the Bolivian chapter of IMGA is to raise awareness of environmental issues, geological, spread the knowledge to achieve the promotion of research and subsequent application of it in the search for improved environmental quality in the country.

Future Projects

Based on different criteria and experience of active members, as well as the environmental characteristics of Bolivia have been defined following future projects:

  • Training and awareness to students and professionals in fields like medicine, engineering, social sciences.
  • Raising funds for applied research.
  • Implementation of the outcome of the investigation.

Read the 2009 report from the Bolivian chapter here.

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Chapters

Sweden

Updated March 2018

Chapter Leader:

Chapter Leader: Prof Robert Wålinder, Dept of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
Email: robert.walinder@medsci.uu.se

The IMGA Local Chapter in Sweden was established in 2011.

March 2018

Report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Robert Wålinder:

Most activity reported is scientific work concerning medical geology with three peer reviewed papers. One chapter meeting was held in Uppsala discussing projects, education and publications.

Chapter meetings:

  • In september there was a chapter meeting in Uppsala. Themes were IMGA migration to Portugal, conferences, scientific papers and the textbook of Medical Geology.

Textbook in Swedish:

  • The book Medicinsk Geologi by Olle Selinus from Studentlitteratur. 519 pages. FThe price is 150 kr + mailing.
    You can order the book from Olle Selinus. Mail olle.selinus@gmail.com

Conference presentations:

  • There should have been presentations at the IMGA conference in Moscow but was denied a visa. An official invitation from the organization committee might have helped but the conference committee told me to contact the technical staff of theTrialogue company for visa arrangements. But in order for this company to help me, I had to book hotel via this company. I had already booked hotel myself, so they did not help me. I filled in the forms myself at the Russian visa bureau in Stockholm, but they told me to come back with a signed document from the hotel in Moscow. I got this signed paper, but the second time I visited the visa bureau in Stockholm they requested a detailed travel itinerary in addition to hotel booking. Coming back for the third time they requested a “double entry visa” for the visit to Kaliningrad. After three visits to the visa bureau in Stockholm I gave up (Chapter leader Robert Wålinder).

Research projects:

  • At the department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Uppsala university research on transfer factors radinuclids in the ground to consumers of local food, hunters and the general population is made. There is also a project on geotransport of radionuclides.

Medical Geology Papers:

  1. Jönsson M, Tondel M, Isaksson M, Finck R, Wålinder R, Mamour A, et al. Modelling the external radiation exposure from the Chernobyl fallout using data from the Swedish municipality measurement system. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2017 Nov 1;178:16–27. Paper
  2. Tondel M, Granath G, Wålinder R. 137Cs activity in Sweden after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident in relation to quaternary geology and land use. Applied Geochemistry. 2017 Dec 1;87(Supplement C):38–43. Paper

June 2017

Report provided by Robert Wålinder, Chapter Leader:

A local chapter meeting the 19 May 2017 was held in Uppsala. Topics were coming publications in the field, participation in the IMGA conference in Moscow and strategy for coming activities. The University of Uppsala gave a course in Medical Geology worth 10 credits. Several chapter members are lecturers and Ulf Lindh is course director. See http://www.ibg.uu.se/education/courses-programmes/all-courses/1bg426

December 2016

No update.

September 2016

Till er nätverket om Medicinsk geologi i Sverige

Ni kan kostnadsfritt deltaga vi ett webbinar nu den 25-28 september

Title: 28th International Neurotoxicology Conference: Manganese 2016 Conference Manganese Health Effects on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Date: September 25-28, 2016 (Live Event)
Presented by: Mount Sinai Medical Center

The webcast can be accessed by clicking on, or copying and pasting, the following link into your browser’s address bar: http://www.totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=mtsinai&func=VOFF&date=2016-09-25&seq=1

When you arrive at this web page, you will either be immediately directed to this webcast and be prompted for your registration ID, or you will see a menu of available webcasts. If the latter, look for this program in the menu and choose it by clicking its thumbnail. Additional information about navigating the webcast portal can be found in the Help tab.

You should be able to attend this live webcast using most computers, devices, and browsers. Apple devices using the iOS operating system and other smartphones and tablets running the Android operating system are fully supported. Windows and Apple desktop and laptop computers will work as well, but on those, you will need to install the Adobe Flash Media Player and have it enabled in your selected browser. More than likely, it already is. You can find out more about the Flash Player and download it from this web site: https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer.

Live streaming works best on high-bandwidth broadband networks. In planning to attend this program via the web, please plan to be in a location where you can connect using a high-speed network.

In the days leading up to the live webcast, you can sign-in with your registration ID and view a preview video being streamed the same way the actual event will be streamed. This way, you can verity that your device, browser, and network are sufficient for you to attend the live web event.

For assistance, please contact Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai carla.azar@mssm.edu.

June 2016

Network structure and aim

The formalities of chapter administration are diminished to a more minimalistic network with Robert Wålinder as the network administrator.  We are open for initiatives such as discussions, announcements of new books and articles, meetings or other professional exchange.

Six months summary

December 2015:  An offer from former chapter leader Olle Selinus who is selling his book, “Medicinsk Geologi” [In Swedish] from the publisher Studentlitteratur 2010.  Order from this booksite: http://www.bokborsen.se.  The price is “up to 1.50 Skr”. If you are a teacher or arranging courses dealing with medical geology you might get samples free.  Contact Olle Selinus or the chapter leader.

March 2016:  Anna Ladenberger, from the Swedish Geological Survey, gave a lecture on Medical Geology, ”Medicinsk geologi ur svenskt perspektiv – från berg till vatten” [In Swedish].  See http://ammuppsala.se/utbildningar/medicinsk-geologi-ur-svenskt-perspektiv-fran-berg-till-vatten.

Spring 2016:  The University of Uppsala gave a course in Medical Geology worth 10 credits.  Several chapter members are lecturers and Ulf Lindh is course director.  See http://www.uu.se/en/admissions/master/selma/Kurser/?kKod=1BG426&typ=1.

March 2016

A seminar titled “Medical geology from a Swedish perspective – from mountains to water,” by Anna Ladenberger, Geological Survey of Sweden, will be held at 13-14 hours on the 2nd of March at the Dept of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Uppsala.  Address: Ulleråkersvägen 40, Uppsala.  Free admission.  See map http://www.ammuppsala.se/hitta-till-oss.

December 2015

Local Chapter Report from Chapter Leader Robert Wålinder on December 1, 2015:

The Local Swedish Chapter of IMGA is organized as a network with Robert Wålinder as network administrator.  We are open for initiatives such as discussions, announcements of new books and articles, meetings or other professional exchange.  An offer from former Chapter Leader Olle Selinus is selling his book, “Medicinsk Geologi” from the publisher Studentlitteratur 2010.  From January you can buy this book from the booksite http://www.bokborsen.se.  The facile price is “up to 150 Skr.”  If you are a teacher or arranging courses dealing with medical geology you might get samples free.  Contact Olle Selinus (olle.selinus@gmail.com) or Robert Wålinder (robert.walinder@medsci.uu.se).

October 2015

Local Chapter Report from Chapter Leader Prof Olle Selinus:

Prof Olle Selinus is stepping down as the Leader of the Swedish Chapter after many years of important work for IMGA.  Prof Selinus is thanked for his tremendous contribution to IMGA.  IMGA extends a very warm welcome to the new Chapter Leader Prof Robert Wålinder, Dept of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden E-mail: robert.walinder@medsci.uu.se and looks forward to working with him in the future.

June 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Prof Olle Selinus:

So far in 2015 there have been no meetings. Several papers are under work. The activities have mainly been exchange of information and networking.

2014

The chapter has these last months had no common activity. However a meeting with as many members as possible is planned in November in Uppsala. Certain members have been active in medical geology, having lectures and promoting the subject. Olle Selinus has been opponent at a PhD dissertation in Denmark in October on Iodine. The PhD was Denitza Vutchkova, a member of IMGA. Another dissertation on Fluorine will take place in Kalmar next spring.

Book published in 2014 with chapters on medical geology:

GEOGRAPHY AND HEALTH – A NORDIC OUTLOOK
Executive editors: Anders Schærström (co-ordinator), Stig H. Jørgensen, Thomas Kistemann, Åke Sivertun
Published 2014 by The Swedish National Defence College. Stockholm, Sweden
NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Trondheim, Norway
Universität Bonn, Institute for Hygiene and Public Health. Bonn, Germany

Book to be published soon, with chapters on medical geology:
Drinking water minerals and mineral balance –importance, health significance, safety precautions, Rosborg et al 2014, Springer Verlag.

Medical Geology Course

There are plans for having a one week course on drinking water and health in Stockholm, at the Royal Technical University, perhaps at the end of this year. The Chapter is not organising this course but is linked to it. See the Members’ Section of the website for more detail.

2012

The chapter is new and started at the beginning of 2012. One activity is participation in “Geoarena”, in October, 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.

On 16-17 October 2012 the Geological Survey of Sweden arranged a new conference called Geoarena, in Uppsala with several hundred participants from the mining industry, agencies, government, companies, envi-ronmental people etc. This conference will be held every two years in future, at the big conference building in Uppsala and the aim is to inform all on the diversity of geoscience. It was opened by the minister of industry. Several different sessions with lectures, discussions etc were held. One popular session was medical geology which was allocated much time. The lectures were held by members of IMGA, IMGA was presented and promotional material was distributed. The lecturers were a mixture of medical scientists and geoscientists. The session was chaired by a well known journalist from the Swedish television and was ended with a panel discussion on the future of medical geology and medical geology education at universities. The following lectures were held:

    • Medical geology, our health and natural environment, Olle Selinus
    • Metals in soils in the children’s environment, a study of the playgrounds in Uppsala, Karin Ljung Björklund
    • Medical geology from the perspective of a medical scientist, Martin Fahlén
    • The use of geological databases and registries of disease in studies of disease, Martin Tondel
    • Medical Geology at Uppsala University, Ulf Lindh
    • Medical geology at Lund University, Leif Johansson
    • The session was popular and it was decided that the next Geoarena 2014 would also include workshops in medical geology. There are also plans to make at least two television programs on medical geology for the general public.
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Chapters

Spain

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Dr Elena Gimenez Forcada, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, IGME. Azafranal 48, 37001 Salamanca, Spain.
E-mail: e.gimenez@igme.es

The IMGA Local Chapter in Spain was established in 2015.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

The IMGA Local Chapter in Spain was established in 2015 and currently has over 14 members, involving professionals from geosciences, environmental and humanities sciences, with representation from all over Spain.

All of them participate in several research projects in the field of Medical Geology, with diverse scientific interests including: groundwater hydrogeotoxicity related to high concentrations of Potentially Toxic Geogenic Trace Elements (PTGTE); mineralogy and petrology, mineral deposits, radon and natural radioactivity, isotope hydrology, chemometrics, health risk assessment, geostatistical tools applied to the distribution of trace elements in waters and soils, assessment of exposure to trace elements in children living in urban settings, and social and ethic aspects of Medical Geology.

GeoMedIA Network

The Portuguese and Spanish chapters (IMGA chapters in Iberia), in collaboration with the local chapters from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay, have led the proposal to create a Medical Geology network over Ibero-America (GeoMedIA Network). This initiative aims to promote the development of the discipline through its academic, scientific and social implementation in Ibero-America, which would ultimately benefit the populations involved by integrating this knowledge into their territorial policies and improving their quality of life.

The Spanish and Portuguese Chapters, IMGA-España and PCM, led the proposal, which was presented to the CYTED network program. Although no anticipated funding was obtained, the approach and establishment of collaboration between the different chapters of IMGA in Ibero-America is a reality. The GeoMedIA Network currently has more than 70 members from more than 30 public and private institutions/organizations.

1st International Symposium on Medical Geology in Spain: “Medical Geology: an emerging discipline”. September 19, 2016, Salamanca, Spain.

The first International Symposium on Medical Geology in Spain was held in Salamanca (Spain), organized by the Local IMGA Chapter of Spain, IMGA-España. This seminar was attended by more than 70 participants from a diverse scientific fields, as well as local authorities and the local media.

The first invited speaker was Dr Laura Börgel from Chile, who talked about the importance in risk assessment of studying the toxicological risk related to heavy metals, particularly arsenic, on environmental health decisions. This was followed by a presentation by Dr Rosa Meijide from the University of A Coruña, focusing on the health benefits of mineral waters and peloids in human health, entitled “The medical use of mineral waters and spa products”. In the section dedicated to Medical Geology in Iberia, a short description of the history of the IMGA and its activities over the ten years that this association has existed was presented by IMGA secretary, Dr Carla Patinha. Dr Eduardo Ferreira da Silva (Chair of the Portuguese IMGA Chapter on Medical Geology) presented a retrospective overview of research studies by the members of this IMGA Chapter. Dr Elena Giménez-Forcada, the Chair of the recently established Spanish Chapter on Medical Geology, discussed the development and goals of the Chapter along with its particular aims of establishing medical geology as an emerging discipline in Spain. The second part of this seminar was dedicated to the presentation of several studies that have been conducted by members of Spanish chapter: Dr Eduardo de Miguel (Polytechnic University of Madrid) presented the evaluation of trace element exposure in the pediatric population of urban environments, specifically Madrid; Dr Juan Antonio Luque (IGME, the Spanish Geological Survey) talked about geostatistical applications for geo-environmental studies. The main results of the HidroGeoTox project (funded by IGME) were also presented. The aim of this project is to understand the factors controlling the distribution of arsenic and other toxic elements in the southern part of the Douro basin. These results were discussed by Dr Elena Giménez-Forcada (IGME), Dr María del Carmen Rey (IGME), Dr Susana Timón (IGME), Dr Manuel García (UNED, the Spanish National University of Distance Education) and Dr Agustina Fernández (University of Salamanca).

Media information from the 1st Workshop on Medical Geology organized by the Spanish Chapter of IMGA held in Salamanca on 19 September, 2016 is available:

http://saladeprensa.usal.es/atom/102109
http://www.salamanca24horas.com/local/19-09-2016-salamanca-acoge-la-primera-reunion-en-espana-sobre-geologia-medica

October 2015

The IMGA Local Chapter in Spain was established in 2015.

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Chapters

United States

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Laura Ruhl, 309 Fribourgh Hall, 2801 S. University Ave., University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA
E-mail: lsruhl@ualr.edu

Chapter Treasurer/Secretary:

Alex Eisen-Cuadra

The USA IMGA Local Chapter was established and approved by the IMGA Board in February 2012. On April 25, 2012, IMGA Chairman José Centeno presented an invited seminar on Medical Geology at the Department of Earth Sciences, Duke University. During this activity, the USA Chapter on Medical Geology was officially awarded its IMGA Chapter Certificate. The Certificate was received by Brittany Merola, Chairperson of the USA Chapter on Medical Geology.

With a current membership of over 20 active members, the USA Chapter has been continuously expanding its research and outreach activities. The Chapter was actively involved in the MEDGEO 2013 – 5th International Conference on Medical Geology held in Washington, DC.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.

2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr Laura Ruhl:

The US chapter will hold elections for chapter officer positions in July/August 2015. Any member interested in holding an office (must be a paid member), please contact Laura Ruhl at lsruhl@ualr.edu.

The US chapter hosted a technical session at the Association of Applied Geochemistry’s 27th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium in April 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. There were two sessions consisting of seven speakers with Lynda Williams of Arizona State University as the keynote speaker of the session, with a presentation on antibacterial clays. The other presentations covered topics such as Medical Geology (Laura Ruhl), Water Quality effects from Mining (Will Ketcheside), As and Mn occurrence in the Begal Delta (Saugata Datta), As in groundwater in the Mekong Delta (Brittany Merola), Columbian anti-bacterial clays (Sandra Carolina Londono), and antibacterial activity of clays (Keith Morrison). The session was a great success with many attendees, much discussion, and lots of interest in medical geology issues. More information about the symposium can be found here: http://www.27iags.com/about/ and in the announcement below.

The Association of Applied Geochemistry
27th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium
April 2015, Tucson Arizona
www.27iags.com

The IAGS will consist of strong technical program including: 5 field trips (pre-symposium), 6 one-day short courses, 7 key-note speakers, plus 11 technical sessions with a total of 88 speakers covering many topics of interest to attendees (including Medical Geology). There are plenty of planned social events including: Sunday Ice-Breaker, Lunch provided in a common area each day of the symposium (MTTF), Tuesday evening Distinguished Lecturer, Wednesday (all day) Social Programs and short Field Trips (designed for attendees and accompanying persons), Thursday evening AAG Awards / IAGS Dinner, plus partner events throughout the week.

The US chapter will host a Medical Geology technical session at the International Applied Geochemistry Symposium in Tucson, AZ from April 20-24, 2015, which is put on by the Association of Applied Geochemists (AAG).

2014

  • The USA Chapter will be electing new officers in December 2014, and the new officers term will begin Jan 2015.
  • The USA Chapter had many members recently participate and present at the Geological Society of America (GSA) Meeting, which took place from Oct 19th-22nd in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They presented on topics such as the future of medical geology, antibacterial clays, and effects of metals on human health. At this meeting nine topical sessions were sponsored by the Geology and Health Division of GSA, which is an honorary chapter of IMGA.
  • The USA Chapter will host a Medical Geology technical session at the International Applied Geochemistry Symposium in Tucson, AZ from April 20-24, 2015, which is put on by the Association of Applied Geochemists (AAG). [Use this web address: http://www.27iags.com/]

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Chapters

United Kingdom

Updated March 2018

Chapter Contact:

Dr. Darren Beriro, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, UK
E-mail: darrenb@bgs.ac.uk

Chapter Website: www.medical-geology.uk

Facebook: ‘Medical Geology – UK Chapter of IMGA’

Twitter: IMGA-UK @IMGA_UK

The UK IMGA Chapter was established and approved by the IMGA Board in 2015.

March 2018

Report from Local Chapter Leader Dr Darren Beriro:

  • The British Geological Survey has an ongoing research program into the development of methods for measuring the dermal bioaccessibility of polyaromatic hydrocarbons present in soils and the inhalation bioaccessibility of inorganic contaminants in soils.
  • Dr Mark Cave has given the following medical geology presentations:
    • March 29th 2017 Geological Society London, inaugural meeting of the Geological Society Contaminated Land Group –“A Medical Geology Perspective on the Effect of Soil on Human Health”
    • Cleanup Conference Melbourne Australia September 17th 2017 –“Geochemical controls on the bioaccessible fractions of selected elements in London soils” and and “The effect of lead in soil on crime deprivation in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham”.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

Research

The British Geological Survey will measure and model the dermal bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil using passive diffusion cells and GC-MS/MS analysis. We will also conduct a literature review of the inhalation bioaccessibility of PAH in soil derived dust. The outputs of the research are expected to reduce uncertainties in human health risk assessment used as part of the remediation of former industrial brownfield land. The project is funded by National Grid Property Holdings with management input from WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Dr Mark Cave of the British Geological Survey gave a number of Medical Geology related talks:

  • Keynote presentation at ISEH meeting Galway Pb in London soils and use of Machine Learning for Geochemical Mapping 15-21st August 2016
  • Attended ISO meeting in Paris 24-25th Oct 2016 to provide input to the new ISO standard on Bioaccessibility measurement in soils
  • EPUK seminar 19th of May 2016 at BGS” Potentially harmful element bioaccessibility – confidence in the science”.
  • Bioavailability Workshop Wed 23 June 2016 – Remediate PhD Summer School , Queens University Belfast
  • Annual Joint Conference of the Northern Contaminated Land Forum, 24th June -Assessing the Effects of Urban Soil Geochemistry on Human Wellbeing
  • Scottish Contaminated Land Forum Conference 7th September 2016 Glasgow Assessing the Effects of Urban Soil Geochemistry on Human Wellbeing

June 2016

The UK IMGA has been promoting IMGA where possible. In particular the current Chair, Darren Beriro was invited to give an evening presentation at the Cambridgeshire Geological Club on 14th March where he spoke on the subject. Other related activities include a seminar hosted by British Geological Survey on current issues in contaminated land and also an invited presentation at national conference on Innovation in Site Investigation. Both of which included a presentation by Mark Cave on the human bioaccessibility of harmful chemical elements and organic compounds in soil.

(Photo in member section)

October 2015

We are pleased to announce that a new IMGA-UK chapter has been set up for the United Kingdom by our 13 members. We were presented our certificate at the MEDGEO conference in July 2015. The focus of the chapter is on promoting research conducted primarily by UK researchers, in particular early career researchers. During 2015-16 IMGA-UK has created a new website at www.medical-geology.uk with various posts and photos. We have also set up a Twitter account IMGA-UK @IMGA_UK which we have used for 16 Tweets so far and a Facebook page named ‘Medical Geology – UK Chapter of IMGA’. These media are to be used as a vehicle for disseminating members’ and other interesting research to a wide variety of people. It is early days, and we are looking for contributions in all areas, especially summaries of individual research profiles with links to their institutions. We would also like to link with peoples’ new and forthcoming research findings that we can promote using our social media accounts. Any ideas or suggestions for increasing the usefulness of the website and social media tools would be welcomed. We would like to make the IMGA-UK a resource that people use to navigate this interesting and diverse area of science. We are pleased to have made the progress we have so far this year and acknowledge that this is work in progress, requiring further development over the next few years by our committed members.

(Photo in member section)

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Chapters

South of Africa

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Chapter Leader: Prof. Hassina Mouri, Dept. of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
E-mail: hassina.mouri2014@gmail.com
Tel: +27-11-559-4706

Chapter Secretary:

Refilwe Shelembe
E-mail: rshelembe@geoscience.org.za

The IMGA Local Chapter in South Africa was established in 2012.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.

October 2015

Nothing new to report.

June 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Prof. Hassina Mouri.

The IMGA South Africa Chapter won the 2013 IMGA Chapter Stimulus Contest prize of $1000. This support was used to organise the 1st International Symposium in Medical Geology in Africa, University of Johannesburg, South Africa 24-26th of March 2014, which was reported in the June 2014 IMGA newsletter.

The Chapter is planning to host a meeting of local members at the end of 2015.

35th International Geological Congress, 27 Aug – 4 Sept 2016, Cape Town, South Africa. The IMGA Local Chapter is involved in organising a session on Medical Geology at this Congress.

2012

Here is some information on what happened during 2012 and what is going to happen in the near future.

Conferences attended by chapter members: IGC 34 – Brisbane

Hassina Mouri and her PhD student Refilwe Shelembi attended the IGC 34 in Brisbane. Hassina gave an oral presentation during the medical geology session, entitled “Medical Geology in Africa: A review and possible future plans”. She also presented a poster together with Theo Davies on “Geochemical variables as plausible aetiological cofactors in the incidence of some common environmental diseases in Africa”. Refilwe Shelembi presented a poster on her on-going PhD research project entitled “The Pi-lanesberg Alkaline Complex and the Rustenburg Layered Suite: possible sources of contami-nation of groundwater and health impact on North West Province communities, South Af-rica”. During this meeting, Hassina Mouri received the official IMGA Board Certificate of Approval in recognition of the SA Local Chapter. The certificate was delivered by Prof Colin Simpson, former IUGS Councillor and convener of the session on Medical Geology (see photo right).

Medical Geology in SA, plans for 2013/2014

A meeting on “Medical Geology in Africa” will be organised at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa during the first week of October 2013.

A Medical Geology Session at the 21st Meeting of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA 2014). The International Mineralogical Association will hold its 21st General Meeting (IMA2014) in South Africa, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 1 to 5 September, 2014. During this meeting, a special session dedicated to Medical Geology will be organised as part of the South African Medical Geology Chapter activities.

Other News

In February 2012, the IMGA Executive Committee approved the request to establish a chapter of Medical Geology in South Africa under the leadership of Prof. Hassina Mouri from the Department of Geology, University 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 second chapter of Medical Geology on the African Continent. At the same time, Hassina 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 solu-tions 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 re-search that will help us understand the benefits and the role of Earth materials and systems in the occur-rence 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 pro-gram 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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