Yunfan Li

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Ana María Rojas, Medical Geology Research Group, Calle 24 Carrera 2aEste-04. Delicias Norte. Chía, Colombia
E-mail: amrojasb17@yahoo.com.ar

Chapter Vice-Chair:

Sandra Carolina Londoño
E-mail: slondon1@asu.edu

The IMGA Local Chapter in Colombia was established in 2008. The research group has led, since its creation, the research training of students and the development of academic proposals towards understanding the geological resources in direct relation with the welfare and health of the Colombian society. The vision of the Colombian Chapter is to become a multidisciplinary group leading the research in Medical geology in Colombia, to act as a bridge between sciences and entities in order to propose new approaches and solutions to solve environmental-health-geology related problems.

GEOLOGÍA CON VISIÓN SOCIOAMBIENTAL (Spanish)The June 2015 issue is an excellent history-in-brief of medical geology by Ana María Rojas of the Colombian Chapter. The September 2015 issue highlights forensic geology. The December 2015 issue looks at chemical elements as the raw materials of life.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.

June 2016

Chapter Leader: Ana María Rojas Bernal
Chapter members: Sandra Carolina Londoño, Nívea Cristina Garzón, Nancy Carolina Tenjo, Jose Alberto Tinoco

The Colombian chapter has been working on the following topics:

• Literacy in Medical and Forensic Geology. We continue to work on English and Spanish documents. They include big ideas and theoretical principles of these disciplines. We are including geoforensic and geo-ethics topics in both documents.
• The formulation of two ideas for start of the process to apply for royalties resources: “Diagnosis of the socio-environmental and geo-epidemiological situation in Colombia.” and “Study and implementation of a prototype restoration and management of buffer zones of hydrocarbon transportation system in Colombia.”
• A document about the methodology for Medical Geology Studies. This document compiles the different sample procedures used in Environmental Geochemical and Public Health. We are including the topic on environmental indicators and a methodological proposal for a link to medical and forensic geology.
• A directory of strategic partners to promote and develop Medical Geology in Colombia.
• We are expanding the network in Colombia, the chapter is part of The network of American Young support environmental projects, the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG) and the workgroup and support of Geoethics and wellness of National University.
• Our chapter member Sandra Carolina Londoño has finished her PhD in geological sciences the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, in Tempe, AZ.

October 2015

Report from Local Chapter Leader Ana María Rojas:

The Colombian Chapter has been working on the following topics:

• Literacy on Medical Geology. We elaborate on English and Spanish documents. They include big ideas and theoretical principles of this discipline. Robert Finkelman and Olle Selinus have the English document to review.
• The formulation of a case study on Medical Geology in Caquetá River (Colombian Amazonia), with emphasis on mercury and cyanide. This study is a part of the project, “Atlas of Medical and Forensic Geology for Colombia.” It is realized together with Medical and Forensic Geology Research Group and Observatory.
• Review of the publication “Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology” of the American Geological Institute.
• A document about methodology for Medical Geology Studies. Nowadays, this document compiles the different sample procedures used in Environmental, Geochemical, and Public Health.
• A directory of strategic partners to promote and develop Medical Geology in Colombia.

More detailed and comprehensive information is available on Colombia Chapter page of the member section.

June 2015

Report from Local Chapter Leader Ana María Rojas:

The Chapter Leader has new contact details (see above).

Members of this Chapter are now spread in various parts of Colombia and in other countries and keep up to date and in contact via the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/geomedicayforense/?fref=ts.

Establishment of Colombian Medical and Forensic Geology Observatory (website)

Ana María Rojas and Cristina Garzón have been worked in the establishment of a Colombian Medical and Forensic Geology Observatory. It is an academic and entrepreneurial initiative that seeks to generate and to spread knowledge in Spanish language, to create environmental and social indicators of mining and energy activities and development tools for decision making will help to resolve geo-socio-environmental conflicts.

Current structure:

• Executive Director Ana María Rojas: is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the Observatory.
• Academic Director, Cristina Garzón: advises the research in the National University of Colombia.
• Research Group Associated, Colombian Medical and Forensic Research Group: supports research in universities and colleges.

2014

Members of this Chapter are now spread in various parts of Colombia and in other countries and keep up to date and in contact via the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/geomedicayforense/?fref=ts.

2012

In the last 6 months the Chapter has worked towards getting stronger in its foundations and to create nodes or partnerships with governmental institutions. It recognized important health problems in Colombia, such as the effects of mercury in gold mining communities and established important contacts with gold artisanal mining associations, ONUDI, mining-agricultural centres and local environmental authorities that could be interesting in projects in medical geology in the future.
The Chapter is carrying out the update in the research institutes from Colombia (Colciencias, DIB).
We have been working on a medical geology course. We already have the brochure, agenda and some potential sponsors.
We have been implementing the Medical Geology Observatory in Colombia.

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.

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 aware-ness 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 fund-ing. We have been writing proposals to fund 2 projects and when the results are announced we will let IMGA know.

Projects

Ballesteros, R. A., Garzon N.C. (In progress): Geological characterization and preliminary pharmacological study of clay minerals in Araracuara-queta, Colombia, with potential for superficial and subcutaneous mycoses. Continuing with the study of healing clays found in the Colombian Amazons, the goal of this project is to determine the uses of clay for treating superficial and subcutaneous mycoses. Ricardo Ballesteros, the leader of the project is a last year student in the Pharmacy Department of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. So far the clays have been characterized and the second step will be to test them. Contact: raballesterosr@unal.edu.co

Activities

To increase the visibility of the group some active members have been working in creating a web site with access from a Google site and/or a link at the site of the National University and IMGA web site. Contact: anamariarojasb@unal.edu.co

A new brochure has been designed with information about medical geology and the Colombian group. It will be distributed starting mid-May in universities, ONGs, government agencies, and through informal or formal talks. The brochure is in Spanish, in full color and contains beautiful and self-explanatory images. Another medium that will be used to spread the word on medical geology is the radio station of the Universidad Nacional. Two of our active members, the pharmaceutical chemistry student, Ricardo Ballesteros and the geologist Ana Maria Rojas, have been invited to talk about “The use of minerals in pharmacy and the relationship among pharmacy and medical geology” in a radio program called “Desde la Botica” (From the pharmacy). The program is directed by Professor Ilvar Jose Muñoz, MSc, in Public Health and professor in the Pharmacy Department. The Universidad Nacional radio station has a wide coverage, since it not only reaches
the student community but the whole of Bogota City.

Contact: Sandra Londono, Department of Geosciences, Ciudad Universitaria Carrera 30 No 45 – 03, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
(National University of Colombia), 11001 Bogotá, Colombia. E-mail: sclondonoa@unal.edu.co.

Read the Colombian report here.

2011

The Colombian Chapter is very active. Sandra Londono is no longer the leader of the Chapter, as she is no longer based in Colombia while studying for a PhD in the USA. Members of the Chapter are mainly geology students with two chemical pharmacists. The Chapter continues to work on a variety of research topics including: clay minerals used in traditional medicine; geological controls on parasitic diseases, and health effects of Hg pollution from gold mining. Ana Maria Rojas and Ricardo Ballesteros are the new leaders of this Chapter. IMGA would like to thank Sandra for all her outstanding work for the Colombia Chapter including her excellent IMGA Newsletter reports over the years and wishes Sandra well with her PhD studies. IMGA would like to welcome Ana Maria Rojas and Ricardo Ballesteros as the new leaders of this Chapter and looks forward to working with them in the future.

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Dr. Peter W.U. Appel, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, Denmark
E-mail: pa@geus.dk

The IMGA Local Chapter in Denmark 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 Dr. Peter Appel:

No report this time.

2012

Chapter Members:

John Tychsen, Geophysicist, normal-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, normal 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.

Program for the workshop
Abstracts from the workshop

Three members of the Danish Chapter (Peter W. U. Appel, Kim Esbensen and Birgitte Hansen) visited Olle Selinus in his summer cottage in Sweden early October. Olle showed us the fascinating nature of Southern Øland Eastern Sweden. Over a nice dinner we got lots of inspiration from Olle as to which project to focus on over the next years for the Danish chapter. Birgitte being the future cashier of IMGA spent considerable time with Olle being taught how to do the book keeping in a proper way. The IMGA Board certificate of approval was presented to the IMGA Denmark Chapter by Olle Selinus during this visit.

In June 2012, a meeting was held in Copenhagen focusing on components occurring naturally in soil or groundwater and health effects caused by those components. Ten presentations ranging from lithium, iodine, calcium to radon and fluorine were given. Unfortunately most titles are in Danish and the abstracts likewise.

Denitza Voutchkova gave a presentation on Multivariate Analysis of Danish Historical Hydrogeochemical Data with Respect to Iodine in Groundwater at the 2012 Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health (SESEH 2012) held in Galway, Ireland.

Updated September 2018

Chapter Leader:

Dr. Moataz Tarek, Geology Department, Arish University
E-mail: moataz.tarek.m8@gmail.com
Research Interests: Mineral dust, geomedical mapping and water hardness

Chapter Secretary:

Rofida Younes, Public health, Arish University
E-mail: rofidayones@gmail.com
Research Interests: Promoting medical geology and marketing

Updated March 2018

Chapter Leader:

Chapter Leader: Dr. Bernardino Figueiredo, Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas, PO Box 6152, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil
E-mail: berna@ige.unicamp.br

The IMGA Local Chapter in Brazil was established in 2008.

March 2018

Report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Diego Fridman for the past year:

• During this last term several members of IMGA Brazilian Chapter dedicated themselves to prepare a number of papers which were submitted to important scientific meetings such as the International Conference on Medical Geology –Medgeo2017 –to be held in Moscow, the XVI Brazilian Geochemical Congress to be held in Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, next August, and the 15th Amazonian Geological Symposium to be held in Belém, next September.
• Dr. Rita Salgueiro started a new undergraduate discipline entitled “Medical Geology” at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC). A new “Geomedicine” course at graduate level has initiated in the Federal University of Para (UFPA) last August.
• Dr. Cassio Roberto da Silva (Brazilian Geological Survey) gave a lecture, entitled “Geochemistry, Environment and Health”, at the Federal University of Espírito Santo, during the VI Geological Studies Week, April 7, 2017.
  He also participated in the planning meetings of the project “Mercury impact on protected areas and on forest people in the Eastern Amazon: an integrated health-environmental approach”. Participation of researchers from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the IEPE Research Institute for Indigenous Education, the Amazon Program, the WWF Brazil and from a number of Universities and laboratories is anticipated.
• Dr. Eduardo Paim Viglio will address the big mining dam disaster in Mariana and additional research results on antimony occurrences in Brazil at the incoming scientific meetings. He is also participating of the geochemical activities of the Brazilian Geological Survey envisaged to publish three more regional Environmental Geochemical Atlas of Brazil during the next Brazilian Geochemical Congress.
• A total of eleven Brazilian papers were published during the International Conference on Medical Geology –Medgeo2017, held in Moscow, last September. These papers focused on the occurrence of mercury, germanium and arsenic and implications for human health in Brazil. Analytical results on the quality of drinking water in different places in the country were also discussed. Members of the Chapter contributed as well to the XVI Brazilian Geochemical Congress, held in Rio de Janeiro, and to the 15th Amazonian Geological Symposium, held in Belém, also in this last period.
• Dr. Cassio Roberto da Silva (Brazilian Geological Survey) was honored by the professional Rio de Janeiro Engineering Professional Council (CREA-RJ) with the prize “Láurea ao Mérito CREA-RJ 2017”, in November. This tribute is dedicated to professionals who stood out for their actions in favor of Engineering, Agronomy and Geology professions in Brazil.
• A new research project entitled “Geoavailability study on Ge and Li in Brazil and Portugal and their potential applications to health” was submitted to the Brazilian and Portuguese agencies CAPES and FCT. This project is aimed to facilitate future collaboration between researchers from IST (Lisbon, Orquídia Neves and Carla Rocha), Aveiro University (Carla Patinha and Maria Inácio), Federal University of Ceará- Brazil (Ana Rita Salgueiro e Jose Antônio Sabadia) and the CPRM-Brazilian Geological Survey (Cassio Roberto da Silva and Eduardo P. Viglio).
• A research group dedicated to organic compounds was created by Dr. Carlos Bandeira de Mello (PETROBRAS Oil Company) e Dr. Josino Costa Moreira (FIOCRUZ-Ministry of Health). Dr. Cassio Roberto da Silva (CPRM-Brazilian Geological Survey) e Dr. Gabriel Barberes (PETROBRAS) also participate of this group, whose first action will be to reinforce the debate on medical geology of organics during the International Latin American Congress of Organic Geochemistry of the Latin American Association of Organic Geochemistry (ALAGO) to be held in Salvador, Bahia, northeast of the country, next year.

December 2016

Activities over the last 6 months:

Figueiredo, B. R. – Lecture: Metal Contamination of Environmental Materials in the XIII Environmental Engineering Week, Engineering School, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil, May 2016.

Silva, C. R. – Lecture: Medical Geology: Soil and Related Pathologies in the XX Brazilian Congress of Nutrology, Brazilian Association of Nutrology, São Paulo, Brasil, October 2016.

Figueiredo, B. R. – Lecture: Medical Geology, III Geosciences Academic Week, University of Brasilia, October 2016.

Silva, C. R. – Chairman of Technical Session on Environmental and Medical Geology during the 48th Brazilian Geological Congress, Brazilian Geological Society, Porto Alegre, Brazil, October 2016.

Figueiredo, B.R. and Silva, C.R. – Short Course on Medical Geology during the XIII Geochemical Congresso of Portuguese Speaking Countries, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, November 2016.

IMGA Brazil Chapter Meeting during the XIII Geochemical Congress of Portuguese Speaking Countries, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, November 2016 – this meeting was chaired by Dr. Maria Aurora Armienta Hernandez and the Chapter Leaders.

Dr. Maria Aurora Armienta Hernandez, IMGA Vice-Chair for Geoscience, participated as invited speaker of the XIII Geochemical Congress of Portuguese Speaking Countries, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, November 2016.

A new discipline entitled Medical Geology was created by Dr. Rita Salgueiro in the scope of undergraduate Geology course of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC).

A new course entitled Geomedicine at graduate level initiated in August 2016 in the Federal University of Para (UFPA).

June 2016

During this term Dr. Cássio Silva was invited to join Professor Ari Roisemberg to chair the technical session “Environmental and Medical Geology” during the 48th Brazilian Geological Congress to be held October 9-13, 2017 in Porto Alegre, South Brazil (http://www.48cbg.com.br).  Some medical geology activities have been included in the program of the XIII Geochemical Congress of the Portuguese Speaking Countries to be held in the Fortaleza city, northeastern Brazil, next November (14th-18th).  More specifically, a short course on medical geology will be conducted by Bernardino Figueiredo and Cássio Silva who will also organize a business meeting of the Brazil Chapter in connection with that congress.

Professor Bernardino Figueiredo was invited to participate of the XIII Student Week of Environmental Engineering at the University of São Paulo in São Carlos city.  A lecture entitled “Lead, arsenic and mercury in the environment and effects on human health” is scheduled for 16 May.  The Brazil Chapter members Cássio Silva, Fernanda Cunha, and Eduardo Viglio, geologists of the CPRM-Geological Survey of Brazil, have submitted a manuscript entitled “Preliminary assessment of the environmental health impact caused by the breach of the iron mining dam in Mariana, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil” as a contribution to this issue of IMGA Newsletter.

November 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leaders Drs. Bernardino Figueiredo and Cássio Silva:

During this last term, Dr. Cássio Silva was elected a new Councilor of IMGA fact which has been very well received by Brazilian scientific and professional community.  Dr. Silva was one of Brazilian delegates to the 6th International Conference on Medical Geology held in Aveiro, Portugal.  Below are some interesting papers presented at that conference by members of Brazilian Chapter:

• MACRO, MICRONUTRIENTS AND HARMFUL ELEMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SOILS OF SOUTHEAST REGION OF BRAZIL – SILVA, Cassio Roberto; VIGLIO, Eduardo Paim; CUNHA, Fernanda Gonçalves and MAPA, Felipe Brito.
• MEDICAL GEOLOGY IN BRAZIL: short overview – Silva, Cassio Roberto, Geological Survey of Brazil.
• AUGER DRILLING EVALUATION OF CANTAMINATION OF Pb AND Cd IN RUI BARBOSA AVENUE IN SANTO AMARO – BAHIA – BRAZIL – VIGLIO, Eduardo P.1 , CUNHA, Fernanda G.1 and ANJOS, José Angelo S. A.2. 1Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM – Rio de Janeiro), 2 Federal University of Bahia (UFBA – Salvador).

In September, Dr. Bernardino Figueiredo conducted for the third time his course on “Geoscience, Environment and Health” at the Federal University of West Pará (UFOPA) in Santarém, Brazil.  This course is part of the doctoral program on “Society, Nature and Development” offered by UFOPA since 2013.

Also in September, Dr. Cássio Silva participated as a lecturer to the 23rd Geological Week of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and of the XIX Brazilian Congress of Nutrition.

In October, a technical session on Medical Geology was organized during the XV Brazilian Geochemical Congress held in Brasilia (Federal District).  Members of the chapter presented the following papers (In Portuguese) at this congress:

• MACRO E MICRONUTRIENTES E ELEMENTOS NOCIVOS A SAÚDE AMBIENTAL EM SOLOS DA REGIAO SUDESTE DO BRASIL – SILVA, Cassio Roberto, VIGLIO, Eduardo Paim; CUNHA, Fernanda Gonçalves and MAPA, Felipe Brito.
• AVALIAÇÃO DE FUROS DE TRADO DA CONTAMINAÇÃO DE Pb E Cd NA AV. RUI BARBOSA, SANTO AMARO, BAHIA, BRASIL – VIGLIO, Eduardo Paim.
• METAIS PESADOS EM POEIRAS DOMICILIARES, SANTO AMARO, BAHIA – CUNHA, Fernanda Gonçalves. Campinas, October 2015
Bernardino R. Figueiredo.

June 2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leaders Drs Bernardino Figueiredo and Cassio Silva:

A number of Medical Geology related scientific events have been promoted in the last decade in connection with the biennial editions of Brazilian geological congresses and Brazilian geochemical congresses. Again in 2015 a technical scientific session on Medical Geology is planned to occur during the XV Brazilian Geochemical Congress to be held in Brasilia (Federal District) in October.

Besides the preparation of this activity, Dr. Fernanda Cunha (Geological Survey of Brazil) has conducted a short course on Medical Geology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, last April, as a part of the Geology Student Academic Week.

2014

A significant number of papers (70) were presented during the technical and scientific session “Environmental and Medical Geology” of the 47^th Brazilian Geological Congress that was held in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil, last September. Dr. Nelly Mañay, IMGA Chairperson, was the keynote speaker for the session that was conducted by Professors Bernardino Figueiredo and José Ângelo dos Anjos. In parallel, the future activities of the Medical Geology in Brazil for the period 2014-2015 were discussed during the Chapter business meeting previously included in the Congress programme. Additional activities conducted by various members of Brazil Chapter are reported below:

• • Presentation of the paper “Human exposure assessment to arsenic and health indicators in Paracatu, Brazil” by Dr. Eduardo De Capitani and co-authors at the 5th International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (As2014) held in Buenos Aires in May. The paper is available using this web address: http://www.as2014.com.ar/Libro.pdf
  • Organization of the short course “Introduction to Medical Geology” by Dr. Fernanda Cunha and Dr. Cássio Silva at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in August;
  • Presentation of the “Geochemical Map of Subaé River Basin” and other geochemical data from the lead contaminated area in Santo Amaro, State of Bahia, Brazil, by Dr. Fernanda Cunha, Dr. Eduardo Viglio and Dr. José Ângelo dos Anjos, at the 47^th Brazilian Geological Congress. As a result of these research efforts collaboration with local health professionals has been established.
  • Participation of Dr. Cassio Silva in the project “Validation, generation and development of methodologies and protocols for characterization of silicate rocks, soils and biologic weathering to subsidize agriculture and geologic mapping”. This project is financially supported by federal agencies and it will contribute to food security by evaluating the content of chemical elements in rocks, soils, plants such as macro and micronutrients and those (Pb, Cd, As) harmful to the environment and health.

South America: PGAGEM

Use this web Address: http://www.cprm.gov.br

The Nattional Research Program in Environmental Geochemistry and Medical Geology (Programa Nacional de Pesquisa em Geoquimica Ambiental e Geologia Medica – PGAGEM), coordinated by Servico Geologico do Brasil – CPRM (Brazil Geological Service – CPRM), through the Departamento de Gestão Territorial (Territorial Management Department), subordinated to Diretoria de Hidrologia e Gestão Territorial (Hydrology and Territorial Management Board of Directors) was created as a multinstitutional, interdisciplinary and multiuse results program. It was elaborated by researchers of the Servico Geologico do Brasil – CPRM (Brazil Geological Service – CPRM), Universidade de Campinas – UNICAMP (Campinas University), Universidade do Estado de São Paulo – USP (São Paulo State University), Universidade Federal do Estado do Para – UFPA (Federal University of the State of Para), Universidade Estadual de Londrina – UEL (Londrina State University), Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP (Federal University of Ouro Preto), Minerais do Parana – MINEROPAR (Parana Minerals), Instituto Evandro Chagas (Evandro Chagas Institute), Instituto Adolfo Lutz (Adolfo Lutz Institute), Escola Nacional de Saude Publica – ENSP (National School of Public Health), FIOCRUZ and Empresa Brasileira de Agropecuåria – EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agency of Agricultural Research -Soils).

Contact:
Dr. Cássio Roberto da Silva
cassio@rj.cprm.gov.br

2011

The Brazil Chapter is very active and has 10 members, mainly environmental scientists. The Chapter is led by Dr. Bernardino Figueiredo (University of Campinas) and Dr. Cassio Silva (Geological Survey of Brazil). The Chapter is based on the former UNICAMP Chapter and it has recently organised one short course and several lectures at scientific meetings and universities.

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Stephanie Douma, 310-1071 Ambleside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K2B 6V4 Canada
E-mail: douma@terrapetratox.ca

Chapter Website: http://www.imgacanada.org/medical-geology

The Canada Chapter was approved by the Board in late 2013.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.

2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Stephanie Douma:

The IMGA Canada Chapter website has been launched and the IMGA Canada logo is as follows: http://www.imgacanada.org/medical-geology/.

2014

The IMGA Canada Chapter website is nearly completed and should be launched early 2015.

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.

Updated 17 July 2017

Chapter Leader:

Prof Dr. Jochen Bundschuh, Professor of Hydrogeology, University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia
E-mail: jochenbundschuh@yahoo.com

The IMGA Local Chapter in Australia was established in 2013.

June 2017

No update.

December 2016

No update.

2015

6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Prof. Jochen Bundschuh:
No report this time but the Australian Chapter of the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA-Australia) has been hosted at the newly established Centre for Health Sciences Research (CHSR), which is home to health sciences researchers from the University of Southern Queensland and the University of Queensland with the mission to undertake collaborative, multi-disciplinary research that translates to improved community wellbeing.

2014

The Australian Chapter of the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA-Australia) has been hosted at the newly established Centre for Health Sciences Research (CHSR), which is home to health sciences researchers from the University of Southern Queensland and The University of Queensland with the mission to undertake collaborative, multi-disciplinary research that translates to improved community wellbeing.

The multi-disciplinary research approach of this centre fully aligns with the demands of Medical Geology for integrated, multi- and interdisciplinary approaches covering geological contaminants, their release through natural and anthropogenic processes such as mining, hydrocarbon exploitation, and agriculture to water, sediments, soils, dust particles, aerosols, and gases and their impacts on human health and wellbeing. Such impacts on human health can be not only of physiological but also on psychological nature which makes the CHSR an ideal host of IMGA-Australia as this centre counts on research groups of epidemiology as well as of mental health.

Together with specific researchers of CHSR and the present and future members of IMGA-Australia we aim to developing the field of medical geology within the centre and across Australia, involving research and training on national and international scale and develop the Australian Chapter further which includes the organisation and coordination of events at the centre or elsewhere in Australia as well as the preparation of a homepage for the chapter and integrating it into the CHSR homepage (http://www.usq.edu.au/research/research-at-usq/institutes-centres/chsr). In this context, we further propose active participation in the international congress As2016, “Arsenic Research and Global Sustainability” to be held in in June 2016 in Stockholm (Sweden) where CHSR and IMGA-Australia could be co-organisers. This congress is the 6th congress of the biennial international congress “Arsenic in the Environment” of which I am the principal international organiser.

Since the IMGA-Australia host, i.e. the CHSR, is a USQ-UQ consortium, we hope to attract postgraduates from Australia and elsewhere as the topic of medical geology would make the centre to Australia’s unique academic research and training centre in the wide field of medical geology. This joint research assists to maximise research and training cooperation between USQ and UQ in this topic of medical geology.