2008 Woodie Awards
Environmental factors affect human health
Traci Mitchell
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The field of medical geology uses certain technologies to establish the relationship between environmental factors and human health to create preventative measures and save lives.
The Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute at Brookhaven College is hosting a two-day seminar on medical geology beginning Nov. 9. Dr. Robert B. Finkelman from the University of Dallas will lead the seminar. The course will focus on the geological factors that affect the health of people.
Finkelman is an internationally recognized expert in the field and an editor of the book, "The Essentials of Medical Geology." The book discusses many aspects of the field and explains the special tools used to attribute certain characteristics, such as rivers and roads, to an area of land.
Although more dramatic problems are seen in developing countries, Finkelman said there are issues affecting the people of Texas and medical geology is helping bring awareness.
He said asbestos, a fireproof mineral used in electrical insulation which can cause severe and fatal respiratory problems, has damaged a Dallas neighborhood where the material was being processed.
In West Texas, Finkelman said issues like valley fever can be easily avoided with simple precautions. He said ground water in East Texas might be tainted with naturally occurring compounds leading to disease such as cancer.
"African dust containing human pathogens periodically is blown over Texas. Should we be concerned?" Finkelman asked. "These are some of the questions and issues that we will address in the class."
Geologists use maps and many different types of digital and manual databases allowing them to fully understand formations. The Geographic Information Systems combine these tools so scientists can take many factors into account when trying to make a connection between a disease and the environment.
Within the book, many case studies are examined that show the effects this new field has on society. One case study helped determine the cause of fluorosis in the People's Republic of China. More than 10 million people were affected in Guizhou Province alone, which was later shown to be associated with coal distribution, according to the book.
A second study showed how it can be used when dealing with natural disasters. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch ripped through Central America leaving thousands dead and missing. Flooding caused many waterborne diseases such as malaria, cholera and others. The Geographic Information System was used to determine the slope and elevation of the land so flooding could be predicted.
"Our biggest challenge is breaking down the old barriers between the biomedical, public health field and the physical sciences," Finkelman said. "Medical geology tries to bring these groups together to jointly seek solutions to a range of environmental health problems."
He said the educational system, resource funding and our culture see them as distinct and independent activities.
The Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute at Brookhaven College is hosting a two-day seminar on medical geology beginning Nov. 9. Dr. Robert B. Finkelman from the University of Dallas will lead the seminar. The course will focus on the geological factors that affect the health of people.
Finkelman is an internationally recognized expert in the field and an editor of the book, "The Essentials of Medical Geology." The book discusses many aspects of the field and explains the special tools used to attribute certain characteristics, such as rivers and roads, to an area of land.
Although more dramatic problems are seen in developing countries, Finkelman said there are issues affecting the people of Texas and medical geology is helping bring awareness.
He said asbestos, a fireproof mineral used in electrical insulation which can cause severe and fatal respiratory problems, has damaged a Dallas neighborhood where the material was being processed.
In West Texas, Finkelman said issues like valley fever can be easily avoided with simple precautions. He said ground water in East Texas might be tainted with naturally occurring compounds leading to disease such as cancer.
"African dust containing human pathogens periodically is blown over Texas. Should we be concerned?" Finkelman asked. "These are some of the questions and issues that we will address in the class."
Geologists use maps and many different types of digital and manual databases allowing them to fully understand formations. The Geographic Information Systems combine these tools so scientists can take many factors into account when trying to make a connection between a disease and the environment.
Within the book, many case studies are examined that show the effects this new field has on society. One case study helped determine the cause of fluorosis in the People's Republic of China. More than 10 million people were affected in Guizhou Province alone, which was later shown to be associated with coal distribution, according to the book.
A second study showed how it can be used when dealing with natural disasters. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch ripped through Central America leaving thousands dead and missing. Flooding caused many waterborne diseases such as malaria, cholera and others. The Geographic Information System was used to determine the slope and elevation of the land so flooding could be predicted.
"Our biggest challenge is breaking down the old barriers between the biomedical, public health field and the physical sciences," Finkelman said. "Medical geology tries to bring these groups together to jointly seek solutions to a range of environmental health problems."
He said the educational system, resource funding and our culture see them as distinct and independent activities.
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