Uruguay
Updated March 2018
Chapter Leader:
Dr. Nelly Mañay, Dept of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, University of the Republic (Facultad de Química- Gral.), Flores 2124 Montevideo CP 11800, Uruguay
E-mail: nmanay@fq.edu.uy; nellymanay@gmail.com
The IMGA Local Chapter in Uruguay was established in 2010.
March 2018
Report from Local Chapter Leader Prof. Nelly Manãy:
- IMGA Uruguay attendance to MEDGEO 17 presenting lectures as invited speakers or showing results of the research studies performed on medical geology topics, in poster and/ or oral sessions:
- Nelly Mañay : Estimating low-dose health risks from environmental arsenic in Uruguayan populations.
- Nelly Mañay: How to promote medical geology in developing countries. Challenges, achievements and success in uruguay
- A. Cousillas, N. Mañay : Health risks exposure to building materials used in civil engineering works. An example in Uruguay.
- E. Alvareda, P. Gamazo,R. Colina, M. Victoria, L. Burutaran, J. Ramos, F. Lopez, M. Olivera, A. Lizasoain, G. Sapriza, M. Castells, M. García: Variation of Chemical Groundwater Composition: Incidence of Enteroviruses Occurrence and Their Transport Mechanism in the Salto Aquifer, Uruguay
- T. Heller, N. Mañay : Advancing MedGeo in University Environmental Education: Progress in Uruguay A.Noguera; H. Bentos Pereira; L. Fornaro: Preliminar studies of annual effective dose equivalent (aede) due to terrestial radionuclides received by Barra de Valizas inhabitants and tourists.
- New Medical Geology course:“Advanced topics in Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology” This is our second course based on Medical Geology that is offered in our University as a curricular course of degree and / or postgraduate specialization with a teaching staff from the IMGA chapter. The program of this “new course” is complementary to the curricular course “Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology” already existing since 2005. It was proposed and outlined by Prof. Mañay and implemented by Prof. Teresa Heller from the Toxicology Area of the Faculty of Chemistry. This is one of the main elements for the promotion and encouragement of research studies in Medical Geology at University level in Uruguay. The new edition of this course is in the first semester of 2018.
June 2017
No update.
December 2016
6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Nelly Mañay:
The main activities during last semester 2016, from IMGA Uruguay members are highlighted:
Attendance at regional and international conferences, and congresses presenting lectures as invited speakers or showing results of the research studies performed on medical geology topics, in poster and/ or oral sessions.
- Prof. Nelly Mañay 1)Medical Geology Introduction 2) International examples with a Medical Geology Approach-(in Spanish) IV Worshop Internacional de manejo de victimas por hazmat y bioterrorismo, Santiago de Chile, Chile, Nov. 2016. http://www.ritachile.cl/wp-content/uploads/sites/1450/2016/11/4-Workshop-Metales.pdf
- Prof. Nelly Mañay “Metals and Metalloids Health Risks Assessment Issues: Speciation and Toxicity”, I Environmental Toxicology and Health Meeting in the framework of X ALAMCTA Congress Oct,2016. Montevideo Uruguay . http://www.alamcta2016.org/images/Jornada Toxicologia y Salud Ambiental agenda English.pdf
- Prof. Adriana Mezzano ”Evolution knowledge of Technological Soils (Man-Made-Strata) in Uruguay, South America” 35th International Geological Congress 2016. Cape Town, South Africa.http://www.35igc.org/.
- Mañay N. Cousillas,A. and Heller T. Developing exposure biomarkers for environment health impacts assessment to apply Ecohealth and Medical Geology approach in Uruguay. ISEH 2016, ISEG 2016 and Geoinformatics 2016. Galway Ireland, Aug,2016.
- Mañay,N., Bühl,V., Alvarez, C and Pistón M. Challenges on the surveillance of arsenic exposed workers in Uruguay. Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (As 2016), June 19-23, 2016, Stockholm, Sweden. Arsenic Research and Global Sustainability CRC Press 2016 Pages 414–415.
- Bühl,V.,Alvarez, C., Torre, M. H, Pistón, M., Mañay, N. Advances on the analytical development of feasible techniques and validated methods for the determination of arsenic metabolites in urine in Uruguay. Sixth International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment (As2016) Stockholm, Sweden Jun 2016.
- A simple ultrasound-assisted method for the determination of total arsenic in rice using Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HG-AAS). Sixth International Congress on
- Arsenic in the Environment (As2016) Stockholm, Sweden Jun 2016. Pistón, M., Machado, I., Belluzzi, M., Pinheiro, F.C., Nóbrega, J.A.s 1.8 Biomonitoreo de trabajadores expuestos: desarrollo de un método para la evaluación de especies de arsénico urinario. 4to Congreso Uruguayo de Química Analítica. 2016, Montevideo, Uruguay Bühl,V., Alvarez, C., Torre, M. H, Pistón, M., Mañay, N.
- Desarrollo de métodos para la determinación de mercurio total y arsénico total en granos y cáscara de arroz de Uruguay. 4to Congreso Uruguayo de Química Analítica. Montevideo, Uruguay .Belluzzi, M.,, Machado, I., , Pinheiro, F.C., Nóbrega, J.A., Pistón, M.
Nelly Mañay with IMGA leaders in ISEH, ISEG and Geoinformatics 2016, Galway Ireland
Short courses on Medical Geology topics in Congresses and Universities
- One day short course presented by Prof. Nelly Mañay in the Geological Uruguayan Society Congress held in 16 – 19 November in Montevideo. “Human exposure to toxic metals and metalloids present in water. Medical Geology approach”(in Spanish). http://www.geo2016.uy/cursos/http://www.geo2016.uy/cursos/.
- 10hs lectures on Metals Toxicology and Medical Geology presented by Prof. Nelly Mañay in a Postgraduate specialization course at the “Universidad de Montevideo”,a non-state University in Uruguay (http://ccb.um.edu.uy/).
Organisation of Scientific Events
- Prof. Mañay, as IMGA chairperson, actively collaborated in the organisation of the joint international conference ISEH 2016, ISEG 2016 and Geoinformatics 2016 held in Galway, Ireland, as IMGA was one of its co-organisers. She chaired the extraordinary IMGA assembly held during the event that was reported in last e-news published in October 2016.
- Prof. Mañay, is currently giving technical and logistical support to the local organizers of MEDGEO 2017 in their developing plans of the scientific activities as well as suggesting some ideas or other kind of support that they request from IMGA and have encouraged all her networking colleagues to submit abstracts to MEDGEO 2017.
- Prof. Cousillas organized and chaired a Symposium Session of Scientific Tools for Environmental Studies in Vulnerable Populations, in the International Congress of Toxicology. IUTOX, Oct. Mexico 2016.
Education
New grade and postgraduated curricular course starting in May 2017!!
“Advanced topics in Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology”
Considering the high interest of students of Chemistry, Biosciences and Geosciences profiles, a new curricular course was presented by the Toxicology Team at the Faculty of Chemistry and it was approved for all this Faculty´s careers students and can be taken by undergraduate and graduated students from all of the University of the Republic.
The programme of this new course was outlined by Prof. Mañay and completed, shaped and presented through all instances by Prof. Teresa Heller, who is the main coordinator of our already existing course since 2005, “Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology”. It was unanimously welcomed, coinciding with the New Syllabus 2016 of the Faculty of Chemistry. This will provide a strong stimulus and encouragement for Medical Geology studies at University level.
Current PhD and MsC Students research on Medical Geology. In this period two graduated students are studying their MSc in Geosciences area, with their main research line on Medical Geology topics, lead by Prof. Nelly Mañay.
June 2016
6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Nelly Mañay:
Education
As usual, in Faculty of Chemistry, the curricular course of Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology, was carried on by professors from IMGA chapter members and was attended by pre-grade and post-grade students. Most theorical and practical lectures had links with Medical Geology approach and we continue increasing the classes devoted to Arsenic, Lead, Mercury and Geological aspects of contamination.
PhD students tutored by Mariela Piston and Nelly Mañay, in Faculty of Chemistry are finishing their thesis project. The Toxicology Area of the Faculty of Chemistry has being involved in several multidisciplinary projects with official health and environmental agencies dealing with metals pollution assessment.
Research
Individual members gave lectures in curricular courses and presented their research results in abstracts to Regional and International Congresses ( Ej, As2016, ISEH2016 and 35IGC2016)
Networking – CYTED Proposal
In this period, Chapter members developed activities with the leader, (Dr. Nelly Mañay) to support a proposal to create an Iberoamerican Medical Geology Network that was presented to CYTED, an Spanish funding agency. The project was led by the Spanish and Portuguese Chapters and several Latin America IMGA chapters join the proposal as well.November 2015
6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr. Nelly Mañay:
IMGA MEDGEO 2015 Conference, Aveiro, Portugal
The Chapter leader and current IMGA chairperson, Nelly Mañay, presented at MEDGEO 2015 an overview and update of the IMGA Uruguay members activities within their main research lines and its medical geology approach:
- Urban lead contamination and health impacts.
- Development of analytical methodologies of metals biomarkers of exposure.
- Arsenic and other elements in groundwater as background levels.
- Occupational exposure to arsenic and urine metabolites speciation
- Nutritional status, heavy metals exposure and development in children.
- Medical geology approach in Environmental Education.
- Anthropic Soils Evaluation and Risk assessment. It relationship with land planning and it categorization by the presence of Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg.
- Trace elements deficiency in cattle associated with some health pathologies
- Chemical modeling speciation
- Aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology, endocrine disruption, cyanobacteria, effluent treatment, remediation and restoration of waterways.
It was highlighted that developing Medical Geology research approach, is very successful in Uruguay creating scopes of discussion among researchers and professionals from geosciences and biosciences, to study relevant environmental and health topics in Uruguay. The main aims are those systematic studies on drinking water, food, soil, air and exposure biomarkers, to assess environmental risks on vulnerable populations. This presentation will be published in the website.
Education
This year’s edition of the curricular course “Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology”, taken by almost 50 students, had an increase of 50% in the number of lectures devoted to Medical Geology aspects of contamination.
Another PhD student is including this new discipline of Medical Geology in her research about Epistemology of Environmental Sciences.
The Toxicology Area of the Faculty of Chemistry is taking the first steps towards the presentation of a program for a Diploma in Medical geology.
June 2015
6-month report from Local Chapter Leader Dr Nelly Manay:
Education
As usual, in the Faculty of Chemistry, the curricular course of Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology was carried on by professors who are IMGA chapter members. These were attended by undergraduate and postgraduate students. This years’ edition of this course was taken by almost 50 students and had an increase of 75 % in the number of classes devoted to Medical Geology: from 4 to 7, with the new classes being devoted mainly to arsenic and geological aspects of contamination.
A Medical Geology PhD on arsenic issues is being accomplished by an analytical chemistry student tutored by Mariela Piston and Nelly Mañay, in the Faculty of Chemistry. Another PhD student is including the new discipline of Medical Geology in her research about Epistemology of Environmental Sciences. The Toxicology Area of the Faculty of Chemistry is taking the first steps towards the presentation of a Diploma in Medical Geology.
Research
Individual members gave lectures in curricular courses and prepared their research results in abstracts to be presented in MEDGEO 2015 (Aveiro, Portugal). Promotion & Meetings´ Organization In this period, the Chapter leader, Prof. Dr. Manay was invited to several meetings held in Frankfurt (Germany) including the Association Expert Seminar organized by ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) and the annual IMEX exhibition, where she contacted several delegates from international scientific and other associations and its service promoters worldwide. Most activities she attended were on education and promotion, specifically designed for all levels of association executives from 40 countries, in order to learn about how to improve their respective associations membership´s benefits and the organization of conferences, congresses and meetings.
2014
In this period, the Chapter leader developed several activities (lectures, round tables and workshops) to promote Medical Geology discipline and the International Medical Geology Association in Regional Scientific Events such as Toxilatin in Porto Alegre-Brazil, Arsenic 2014 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Brazilian Congress of Geology in Salvador, Brazil.
Individual members gave lectures in curricular courses and presented projects and published their research advances in several Congresses and Scientific Journals:
- Arsenic environmental and health issues in Uruguay: A multidisciplinary approach. Mañay, N., Pistón, M., Goso, C. Proceedings of the 5th International Congress on Arsenic in the Environment, Buenos Aires, Argentina Litter, Nicolli, Meichtry, Quici, Bundschuh, Bhattacharya and Naidu (Eds). ISBN 978-1-138-00411-1., 11-16 May 2014.
- Determinación de arsénico en orina: Desarrollo de una metodología de screening para el análisis de rutina mediante espectrometría atómica con atomización electrotérmica (ET-AAS) Bühl, Valery; Alvarez, Cristina; Pistón, Mariela; Mañay, Nelly, 3er Congreso Uruguayo de Química Analítica, Montevideo, Uruguay. ISBN: 978-9974-0-1136-6 [Available from the web address: http://www.cuqa.com.uy/cuqa.libro.resumenes.pdf ].
- Environmental problems associated with man-made-strata and their potential management. Hisashi Nirei, Adriana Mezzano, Jonas Satkunas, Kunio Furuno, Brian Marker and Muneki Mitamura. In: Episodes Vol.37 Nº1, March 2014.
- Aplicación de principios estratigráficos en estratos generados por el hombre (Man Made Strata), un caso de estudio. XIV Reunión Argentina de Sedimentología. Puerto Madryn. Argentina 1 a 5 de Setiembre 2014. In CD pp 180 -181.
Lectures on Medical Geology fundamentals and Arsenic environmental issues in a workshop and training course for the Geosciences Master Degree students from the University of the Republic of Uruguay were given by IMGA members, Profs Pistón and Mañay.
IMGA Uruguay was also invited to join the 8th Client/Supplier Business Workshop – ICCA Latinoamérica 2, 3 September 2014 in Viña del Mar, Chile to learn about regional organization of Congresses and Symposiums that would be suitable for IMGA.
A “Workshop on Review of Good Practice Guidelines on Mining in Uruguay” was held in Montevideo and organized by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Educational, Science and Culture and was attended by several delegates of our Chapter.
2012
Medical Geology in Uruguay has developed a highly qualified team to carry out research work, teaching, human resources training and extension. Some studies of trace elements that impact on health such as arsenic and fluoride in water, selenium in food, silica and asbestos in the air, deficiencies of essential elements such as copper in animals, among others, have already been initiated.
In 2011, Uruguay was very well represented in the 4th International Conference on Medical Geology held in Bari, Italy by 6 colleagues (Cousillas, Adriana; Heller, Teresa; Mañay, Nelly; Pereira, Laura; Kremer, Eduardo; Noguera, Ana Lía).
- 3 oral presentations in different sessions
- 5 poster presentations, one of them prize-winning, including some other 10 persons involved in these works, who were not able to attend the Conference personally.
- 1 travel award.
This was a practical demonstration of interest and hard work regarding Medical Geology in our country.
Also in 2011, we created a Research Group on Medical Geology in the University of the Republic, with researchers from the Faculties of Chemistry, Sciences and Veterinary (chemists, toxicologists, geologists and veterinarians respectively), who worked together in order to create a framework for the presentation of future projects. Website: http://darwin.csic.edu.uy/grupos/grupos?tipo=unoro&id=798725.
Furthermore, in November 2011, we applied for funds with a project for the creation of an Interdisciplinary Nucleus of Medical Geology within the University of the Republic, of which there is still no official resolution. The leaders of this nucleus are Nelly Mañay, Maria Torre, Mariela Pistón, Cesar Goso, Adriana Cousillas and Luis Barros, all professors from the University of the Republic. The formation of an Interdisciplinary Nucleus on Medical Geology consolidates a multidisciplinary team to approach the impact of geological factors on human health and animals that have no systematic research in the country. The aim of this Interdisciplinary Nucleus is to strengthen Medical Geology research teams, and the specialization or training of human resources so as to integrate the different services from the University involved in this line of work, into their respective graduate and post graduate curricular programs.
In addition, the elective course of “Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology” held in our Faculty of Chemistry since 2005, reaches also students from other Faculties and in 2011, this 3-month course was successfully conducted, with growing interest and enthusiastic participation, both of students, and lecturers. This course was also included last year, as an elective in the Master in Geosciences programs. In addition, one of the PhD studies going on in our Faculty, is analysing Medical Geology as one part of the history and contribution of Toxicology to Environmental Education for Chemical Sciences students.
In early 2011 Dr. Centeno was going to visit us and give a short course on Arsenic issues so as to plan more activities on Medical Geology in Uruguay, but unfortunately he was not able to come, owing to his new job position. This course will be organised for April 2013.
Finally, our aim is to motivate and include more colleagues involved in Medical Geology in Uruguay, because we have many interesting initiatives in sight. At the same time, we are willing to integrate Uruguay to proposals coming from IMGA.
The following are the lists of abstracts and papers produced by our Chapter members.
Presentations in GEOMED 2011, Bari, Italy:
- Facing Arsenic Environmental and Health Issues in Uruguay with Medical Geology Approach. Nelly Mañay, Mariela Pistón, Cesar Goso
- Biomonitoring and Biomarkers of Lead Exposure: Experience in Uruguay. Nelly Mañay, Adriana Cousillas, Teresa Heller, Laura Pereira
- Development of arsenic analytical methodologies in water and urine by HG-AAS for routine determinations in Uruguay. Cristina Alvarez, Mariela Pistón, Giovanna Clavijo, María Elvira Gómez, Nelly Mañay
- A toxicological Approach to Environmental Education in Chemical Sciences: Exploring a new field of study. Teresa Heller, Cristina Alvarez, Nelly Mañay
- Portland cement and health impacts. Adriana Cousillas, Nelly Mañay, Laura Pereira Testa.
- Occupational exposure evaluation of workers of Portland cement industry in Uruguay. Laura Pereira, Adriana Cousillas, Giovanna Clavijo.
- Natural Environmental Radioactivity in valizas resort, Rocha, Uruguay. Ana Noguera, Heinkel Bentos Pereira, Laura Fornaro.
- Speciation of Mo(VI) oxyanions in natural waters. Lorena Gonzatto, Guzmán Peinado, Julia Torres, Carlos Kremer, Eduardo Kremer
Publications
- Pistón, M., Silva, J., Pérez-Zambra, R., Dol, I., Knochen, M., 2011. Automated method for the determination of total arsenic and selenium in natural and drinking water by HG-AAS, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, v. 34, p. 273-8.
- Cousillas, A, Pereira, L, Heller, T, Alvarez, C, Mañay, N., 2012. Impacts of multidisciplinary actions on environmental lead exposure in Uruguay, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, v. 34, p. 207-11.
Medical Geology in Uruguay has been continuing with the development of research work, teaching training and extension carried out with its Chapter’s highly qualified members. As it was mentioned in our last report, studies on trace elements that impact on health such as arsenic and fluoride in water, selenium in food, silica and asbestos in the air, deficiencies of essential elements such as copper in animals, and child environmental lead exposure among other issues, are being carried out currently.
In 2012, Nelly Mañay and Mariela Pistón, applied for a call of interdisciplinary activities with a proposal for holding a regional Medical Geology scientific activity under the framework of the Program of Development of Basic Sciences of the Ministry of Education of Uruguay. This proposal was approved and financial support was got to cover Latin-American experts travel expenses as well as to fund logistical issues necessary for these kind of activities, such as the conference room, coffee breaks, and support materials (CD, folders, certificates, brochures, etc). This Interdisciplinary Medical Geology Seminar was held in Montevideo on 17th October with the participation of 23 students and 27 junior/senior researchers and various professionals (physicians, veterinarians, geologists, chemists, and biologists). We presented 10 lectures, three of them held by colleagues from Brazil, México and Chile and the others were from our Uruguayan Chapter. Below is a photo and program. More information (in Spanish) is available on the website: http://de.amiando.com/LPGXSUD.html.
.. ….Program Summary:
- Accreditations and Inauguration Ceremony, Dr. Enrique Lessa (PEDECIBA)
- Topic 1: Introduction to Medical Geology and the examples of lead contamination in Brazil and Uruguay.
– Introduction : Dr. Nelly Mañay ( Fac. Of Chemistry – UdelaR; IMGA Uruguay)
– Keynote: “Lead Pollution in Brazil”
– Invited Speaker: Dr. Eduardo M. Capitani (U of Campinas, Brazil)
– National Lecture: “Lead Contamination in Uruguay. An Update”. Dr. Darío Pose (CIAT-UPA)
– Comments: Dr. Nelly Mañay
– Questions and discussion
- Topic 2: Presence of Arsenic in Aquifers: Their environmental and health impacts.
– Lecture: “Problems of arsenic in groundwater of Mexico”
– Invited Speaker: Dr. Aurora Armienta (UNAM, Mexico)
– National Lecture: “The presence of arsenic in groundwater in Uruguay: status and challenges,” Dr. Cesar Goso (Fac Sciences- UdelaR)
– Comments: Dr. Eduardo M. Capitani / / Quim. Ana María Sancha
– Questions and Discussion
- Topic 3: Technology Assessment and Remediation:
– Lecture: ” Abatement Technology for Arsenic. Case study: Chile”.
– Invited Speaker: Quim. Ana María Sancha (U de Chile, Chile)
– National Lecture: “Automated systems for the determination of selenium and arsenic in water.” Dr. Mariela Piston (Fac. of Chemistry – UdelaR)
– Comments: Dr. Aurora Armienta
– Questions and Discussion
- Round Table: Environmental problems of the metals in the environment and their impacts on health: present and future actions.
Chair: Dr. Nelly Mañay
- National speakers from different areas:
– Animal Health – “Fluorosis in cattle: case in Uruguay” Dr Luis Barros (Veterinary Fac-UdelaR).
– Chemical Toxicology. Environmental Assessment of Cement Powder. QF. Laura Pereira (Fac. of Chemis-try UdelaR)
– Bio-organic Chemistry – “Deficiency of essential elements detected in Uruguay and its impact on health.” Dr. María H. Torre (Faculty of Chemistry UdelaR)
– Environmental Health. “Medical Geology Research in Environmental health practice”. Dr. Amalia Laborde (Faculty of Medicine-UdelaR)
– Questions and Discussion
Also in 2012, we continued working within the framework of the Research Group on Medical Geology of the University of the Republic, with researchers from the Faculties of Chemistry, Sciences, Veterinary and Medicine. Website: http://darwin.csic.edu.uy/grupos/grupos?tipo=unoro&id=798725.
Furthermore, in May 2012, we applied again for funds to conduct research with the creation of an Interdisciplinary Nucleus of Medical Geology within the University of the Republic, of which there is still no official resolution. The leaders of these nucleus are Nelly Mañay (Chemical Toxicologist), Maria Torre (Bioinorganic Chemist), Mariela Pistón (Analytical Chemist), Cesar Goso (Geologist), Adriana Cousillas (Chemical Toxi-cologist) , Luis Barros (Veterinary Clinician and Pathologist) and Amalia Laborde (Medical Toxicologist), all professors from the University of the Republic. The approval of an Interdisciplinary Nucleus on Medical Geology in our University will consolidate a multidisciplinary team to strengthen and expand Medical Geology research teams in Uruguay in order to approach human and animal health issues that are not being systematically investigated at present.
In addition, the elective course of “Environmental Toxicology and Medical Geology” held in our Faculty of Chemistry since 2005, reaches also students from other Faculties and Careers and in 2012, this 3-month course was successfully conducted, with growing interest and enthusiastic participation, both of students, and lecturers. This course is also included, in the Master in Geosciences programs. The PhD study by a member of our chapter is still going on in our Faculty, which is analysing Medical Geology as one part of the history and contribution of Toxicology to Environmental Education for Chemical Sciences students.
As we said before, the Uruguayan Chapter aims to incorporate more colleagues already working in Medical Geology in Uruguay, because we have many interesting initiatives in sight. At the same time, we are willing to integrate Uruguay to proposals coming from IMGA.
2011
The Uruguay Chapter is very active and has 16 members. These are a mixture of chemists, geologists, physicians, veterinarians and engineers. The Chapter members organised the very successful 3rd Hemispheric Conference on Medical Geology in October 2009 and the Chapter arose out of this meeting. Conference reports are available in the 2009 IMGA Newsletters 15 and 14. Since then the Chapter has had a first meeting and continues contact by e-mail. Most active scientists are researchers from the University of the Republic working together in subjects of common interest such as environmental Pb and As. A Medical Geology short course was planned with Dr. Centeno but it had to be cancelled for several reasons. It is proposed for next year.
Medical Geology in Uruguay
Uruguay has been involved in the emerging discipline of Medical Geology since 2002, studying metals and metalloids exposure and environment health impacts within the Medical Geology International group (IGCP project # 454) and IMGA.
Environmental Toxicology, Epidemiology, Human and Veterinary Health, as well as Geology, Bioinorganic and Analytical Chemistry studies, have been the basis for the development of Medical Geology in Uruguay. Knowledge and performance of these disciplines have been improved by the joining of research teams and experts from different institutions, together with community delegates, to face environmental health problems arising from metals and metalloids exposure. Medical Geology has also been a topic of discussion in Ecohealth symposiums, to understand the relationships between ecosystems and human health impacts, providing additional sociological studies. The main results of this new scientific approach in Uruguay have been the development of feasible technologies, diagnosis tools, health impairment, with social inclusion as well.
The 3rd Hemispheric Conference on Medical Geology held in Montevideo, 12-16th October, 2009 (www.geologiamedica.com), promoted interdisciplinary discussions and contributions from the geosciences and biosciences scientific communities to share recent advances on environmental and health problem studies in this part of the world, and was the basis of the IMGA Uruguayan Chapter organization.
IMGA Local Chapter in Uruguay
The IMGA Local Chapter in Uruguay was established in 2010. It currently has 18 members consisting of chemists (7), geologists (3), physicians (2), chemical engi-neers (2), veterinarians(3) and biologists (1). The first Uruguay IMGA Chapter formal meeting was held at the Faculty of Chemistry, with very interesting lectures on the research of working groups. These included: environmental surveillance with the development of analytical methodologies for metals and metalloids in biologic and environmental matrices, bioassays, validation and automatization of analytical methodologies, surveillance of toxic ions in aquifers of Uruguay including arsenic and fluorine, and developing technological studies of soils.
The future activities of this chapter will be focused on the addition of new members, with innovative strategies for multidisciplinary research in our country, academics, and on technological and educational activities where a Medical Geology approach is taken into account in the development of future action plans.
Contact
Professor Nelly Mañay, Dept. of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay. NellyManay@gmail.com