Medical Geology (eBook)

Foreword 6
Preface 9
Contents 11
Contributors 13
Reviewers 17
Introduction: Medical Geology -- A Regional Synthesis 18
Medical Geology Issues in North America 21
Introduction 21
Trace Element Exposure 22
Fluorine 22
Dental Fluorosis: A Century of ''Colorado Brown Stain'' 23
Skeletal Fluorosis: The Danger of Drilling Deeper 26
Systemic Fluorosis: The Catalyst of the Universe 27
Radon 30
Radiation in the Navajo Nation 30
Lung Cancer Hot Spots 32
Arsenic 32
Epidemiological and Environmental Health Studies on Arsenic Exposure 33
Cardiovascular Effects 33
Diabetes Mellitus 34
Skin Cancer 34
Lung, Stomach, and Colon Cancer 34
Breast Cancer 34
Bladder Cancer 35
Prostate Cancer 35
Naturally Occurring Organic Compounds 35
Evolving Concerns About Asbestos 36
How Earth Sciences Can Help 36
A Growing Role for Earth Sciences in Environmental Disaster Response and Planning 37
How Earth Sciences Can Help 38
Occupational Health Issues 38
Black Lung Disease 42
Community Effects 42
References 43
A Regional Perspective of Medical Geology 0 Cadmium in Jamaica 48
Introduction 48
Aspects of Environmental Cadmium Toxicity 48
Etiology of Toxicity 49
Micronutrient Amelioration of Cadmium Toxicity 50
Local Health Concerns 50
Geologic Origins of the Caribbean and Jamaica 51
Soils 53
Highland Soils 53
Upland Plateau Soils 53
Bauxite 54
Alluvial Plain and Valley Soils 54
Background Trace Element Research in Jamaica 54
Orientation Survey 54
Radiation Survey 54
Geochemical Mapping 55
Identification of a Potential Medical Geology Problem in Jamaica 55
Arsenic in Jamaican Soils 55
Cadmium in Jamaican Soils 56
Origins of Cadmium 56
Concentration of Cd in Soils 57
Cadmium in Food 57
Extractability of Cd in Gastric Juices 59
Assessment of Cd Exposure in a Jamaican Population 59
Description of Study Area 59
Population Demographics 59
Dietary Patterns 60
Food Consumption Frequency 61
Cd Intake and Micronutrients Consumption 61
Health Effects of Dietary Exposure to Cadmium 61
Cd Exposure and Renal Biomarker Survey 62
Cd (Creatinine Adjusted _ U-Cd/g_cr) and _ 2 -Microglobulin (Creatinine Adjusted _ _ 2 -MG/g_cr) in Urine 62
Age 63
Gender 64
Contribution of Smoking to Cd Exposure 65
Effect of Diabetes Status on Renal Biomarkers 67
Effect of Hypertension Status on Renal Biomarkers 68
Soil Cd Status 68
Relationship Between Urine Cadmium and 0 2 -Microglobulin 68
Discussion 69
Summary 73
References 74
Medical Geology in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean 77
Introduction 77
Arsenic in Mexico 79
Fluorine in Mexico 82
Arsenic in Central America 83
Nicaragua 83
El Salvador 84
Fluorine in Central America 84
Aspects of Medical Geology in the Caribbean 84
Introduction 84
Heavy Metal Toxicity 85
Fluorosis 87
Elemental Deficiencies 87
Long-Distance Natural Dust 87
Radon 87
Radon in Mexico 88
Radon in Central America 89
Costa Rica 90
Nicaragua 90
El Salvador 90
The Caribbean 90
Cuba 90
Final Remarks 90
References 91
Medical Geology Studies in South America 97
Historical Background and Scope of Medical Geology Studies 97
Arsenic in South America 98
Argentina 99
Chacopampean Plain 99
Puna Province 100
Cuyo Region 101
Chile 101
Arica and Parinacota Region 101
Antofagasta Region 102
The Elqui Valley in the Coquimbo Region 102
Brazil 102
The Iron Quadrangle 102
The Ribeira Valley 103
The Santana District 105
Additional Arsenic Cases in Brazil 105
Lead in South America 105
Uruguay 106
Lead Contamination in Montevideo (La Teja) 106
Lead from Gasoline in Uruguay 107
Brazil 107
Lead Contamination in Santo Amaro da Purificaãão 107
Lead Contamination in Adrianópolis 108
Lead Contamination in Bauru City 109
Mercury in the Amazon 110
Selenium in Venezuela 111
Fluorine and Fluorosis in Brazil 112
Societal Issues in the Scope of Medical Geology 113
Geophagy in South America 113
Geophagy in Animals 113
Geophagy in Humans: Positive Feedbacks 114
Soil Living Helminthes (Geo-Helminthes) 116
Risk Communication and Risk Governance 116
Conceptual Framework of Risk Communication and Risk Governance 116
Environmental Contamination and Health Risks 118
Other Medical Geology Studies in South America 119
Future of Medical Geology in South America 119
References 120
An Overview of Medical Geology Issues in Australia and Oceania 125
General Background 125
Geology of Australia and Oceania 126
Geological Features Related to Health 126
Box 1Island Life 127
Minerals and Metals 128
Box 2Silent Spring in Esperance 128
Box 3Sickness Country 129
Naturally Occurring Asbestos 130
Box 4Whispers of Wittenoom 130
Metals and Mental Health 132
Natural Hazards 134
Earthquakes and Tsunamis 134
Volcanic Eruptions 135
Box 5Lashing Lahars 136
Geologic Emissions 136
Dust 136
Box 6Dusty Dawn Melbourne, February 1983 137
Volcanic Emissions 138
Gaseous Emissions 139
Volcanic Ashfalls 139
Bushfire 140
Soil 142
Acid Sulfate Soils 142
Box 7Soil Salinity The White Death 144
Melioidosis 144
Geophagy 145
Lytico-Bodig -- A Medical Geology Disease? 147
References 148
Medical Geology in the Middle East 153
Minerogenic Aerosols 153
Health Effects of Dust Storm in Khuzestan Province -- Iran 155
Health Effects of Dust Storms in Sistan and Baluchistan Provinces 157
Health Problem Related to Dust Storms Al-Basra Governorate, Southern Iraq 158
Health Implications Associated with Particular Matter Exposure for US and Australian Military in Southwest Asia 160
Arsenic 160
Arsenic Distribution and Mortality Rates of Related Diseases in Iran 161
Arsenic Occurrence in Drinking Water of Iran -- The Case of Kurdistan and Azerbaijan Provinces 163
Correlation Between Arsenic Concentration in Drinking Water and Human Hair 164
Arsenic in Drinking Water in Khohsorkh Area, Northeast Iran 166
Iodine 167
Fluoride 174
Fluorosis Case Studies in the Middle East 176
Natural Radiation 180
Natural Radiation in the Middle East: Case Studies 180
Iran 180
Syria 183
Jordan 183
Israel 184
Saudi Arabia 184
Yemen 186
Geophagia 186
References 189
Some Aspects of the Medical Geology of the Indian Subcontinent and Neighbouring Regions 193
General Introduction 193
Arsenic in Groundwater 194
Arsenic-Contaminated Aquifers in India 195
Arsenic in Chhattisgarh 197
Remedial Measures 198
Arsenic in Bangladesh 198
Arsenic in Tube Wells of Bangladesh 199
Arsenic in Groundwater of Nepal 199
The Arsenic Problem in Pakistan 200
Arsenic in the Indus Plain of Pakistan 200
Fluoride in Groundwater and Dental Health 200
Dental Fluorosis in Sri Lanka 200
Fluoride in Drinking Water in Pakistan 202
Fluoride in India 205
Fluoride-Related Diseases in India 205
Treatment of Fluorosis: Possible Measures 206
Medical Geology of Iodine Deficiency Disorders 207
Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Sri Lanka 207
Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Pakistan 208
Iodine Deficiency Problems in India 208
Geoenvironmental Factors Responsible for Goitre Endemicity in India 208
Remedial Measures 209
Selenium Geochemistry 209
Selenium Geochemistry in Sri Lanka 209
Selenium Geochemistry in India 209
Podoconiosis (Non-filarial Elephantiasis) 210
Natural Radiation 211
Collaborative Medical Geology Projects 212
Use of Minerals and Metals in Ayurvedic Medicine 213
Future of Medical Geology in the Indian Subcontinent 214
References 214
Medical Geology in Africa 217
Introduction 217
Historical Development of Medical Geology in Africa 222
Current Status of Research on Medical Geology in Africa 222
Nutrient Deficiencies and Excesses 222
Fluorine 222
Iodine 223
The Role of Nutrient Deficiency in Endemic Osteoarthritis (Mseleni Joint Disease) 225
Environmental Exposure to Cerium and Endomyocardial Fibrosis 226
Is Nutrient Deficiency a Causal Factor for Geophagy? 226
Geogenic Dust 226
Asbestos 227
Silica 227
Other Mineral Dusts 228
Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from Mining Operations 228
Arsenic 228
Mercury Exposure in Small-Scale Gold Panning 229
Radiation and Radon Gas 229
Kaposi's Sarcoma and Podoconiosis 230
Trace Elements in Soils and Plants -- Implications for Wildlife Nutrition 231
Africa Geochemical Database 232
Future Perspectives 232
Conclusion 233
References 234
Medical Geology in Russia and the NIS 238
History 239
Endemic Disease Areas in Russia and NIS 241
Fluorine 243
Introduction 243
Fluoride Content in Drinking Water and Dental Morbidity in Different Regions of Russia 243
Chemical Composition of Teeth Enamel and Hair of Citizens in Centers of North West Russia 243
Iodine: Trace Elements and Diseases of the Thyroid Gland in the Population in Tomsk Region 250
Selenium and Strontium 253
Arsenic 254
Introduction 254
Arsenic Emissions of Russian Metallurgy and Its Environmental Impact 255
Medical Geology in Connection to Mining 259
Medical Geology in Armenia and Mining 259
Health Effects of Tungsten--Molybdenum Mining 261
Health Aspects 263
Ecological Hazards Affecting People's Health 263
Conclusions 264
Natural Radon Distribution in Soils, Influence on Living Organisms, and Radon Safety Measures in Russia 264
Introduction 264
Natural Radon Distribution and Radon Safety Measures in Russia 268
References 271
Medical Geology in Europe 276
History in Europe 276
Medical Geology Issues in Europe 277
Arsenic 277
Asbestos 277
Dust Particles of Geological Origin 279
Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) 279
Iodine 280
Fluorine 281
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) 282
Radon 283
Examples from Specific European Regions 283
Health Issues at the British Geological Survey in the UK 283
Medical Geology in Portugal 284
Soil Geochemical Atlas of Portugal 284
Arsenic 285
Asbestos 286
Fluoride 287
Lead 287
Radon 288
Uranium 288
Volcanic Soils and Related Health Problems 289
Beneficial Effects of Geological Materials 289
Slovakia 290
Sweden 291
Cardiovascular Studies in Sweden 291
Multiple Sclerosis 292
Morbus Gaucher's Disease 292
Radon 293
Arsenic 293
Geomedical Investigations in Norway 294
Problems in Veterinary Medicine 294
Possible Geomedical Associations in Human Medicine 295
Geochemical Studies in Norway of Potential Worldwide Significance to Human Health 295
Medical Geology in Finland 296
Iodine and Fluoride 296
Arsenic 296
Selenium 296
Asbestos 297
Natural Radiation 297
Calcium, Magnesium and Water Hardness 297
Ecological and Health Risk Assessment -- Multidisciplinary Network 300
Geology and Health: The French Case 300
Hard Rock Geology and Related Health Issues 300
Polluted Soils and Health Effects from Former Human Activities 302
The Case of Groundwater 304
Various Uses of Geological Products Beneficial to Human Health 306
European Databases 309
Publications and Outreach in Europe 312
The Future of Medical Geology in Europe 313
References 313
Medical Geology in China: Then and Now 319
Introduction 319
China's Natural Environment, Lifestyle, and Their Relation to Geochemical Diseases 319
Early Medical Geology Research in China 320
Development of Medical Geology in China 320
Endemic Diseases in China 321
Understanding the Relationship Between Disease and the Natural Environment by the Ancient Chinese 321
Records of Iodine Deficiency Disorders and Endemic Fluorosis in Ancient Chinese Books 321
Prevention and Treatment of Endemic Diseases in Ancient China 323
Medical Geology in China Today 323
Fluoride-Related Diseases 323
Geology and Geochemistry of Dental and Skeletal Fluorosis 323
Relationship Between Fluorosis Rates and Levels of Fluoride Exposure 324
Fluorosis from Drinking Water 324
Fluorosis from High Fluoride in Shallow Water 324
Fluorosis from High-Fluoride Geological Bodies 325
Fluorosis from Volcanic Hot Springs and Geothermal Regions 325
Fluorosis from Coal Combustion 326
Etiological Significance of the Clay in Fluorosis from Coal Combustion 326
Fluoride Caused by High-Fluorine Salt 326
Prevention of Dental Caries by Drinking Water Fluoridation in China 327
Medical Geology of Iodine in China 328
Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) in China 328
Endemic Cretinism in China 328
Endemic Goiter Induced by Iodine Exposure 328
Prevention of IDD by Salt Iodization 329
IDD and Geochemistry of Iodine in Guizhou Province, China 329
Medical Geology of Arsenic in China 330
Present Situation of Endemic Arsenosis in Mainland China 330
Arsenosis from Drinking Water in Mainland China 330
High-Arsenic Drinking Water Related to Blackfoot Disease in Taiwan, China 331
Arsenosis from Coal Combustion 332
Arsenosis Induced by Mining 333
Medical Geology of Selenium 334
Health Impacts of Selenium Deficiency 334
Selenium Deficiency and Keshan Disease (KD) 334
Selenium Deficiency and Kashin-Beck Disease (KDB) 335
Etiological Research on KD and KBD 336
Past and Present Hazards of KD and KBD 336
Selenium Deficiencies and Cancer 337
Selenosis in China 337
Thallium Impacts on Human Health 338
Medical Geology of Cancer in China 339
Other Medical Geology Issues in China 340
Jiashi Disease 340
Pazi Disease 340
Respiratory Problems 340
References 341
Medical Geology in Japan 344
General Introduction 344
Concept of Geo-pollution 347
Compound Pollution from Three Different Types of Pollution in the Geological Environment 347
Strata Pollution 347
Groundwater Pollution 347
Ground-Air Pollution 348
Two Types of Investigation Methods in Japan 348
Geo-stratigraphic Unit Investigation Method 348
A Unit-Independent Investigation Method 348
Important Role of Geo-Stratigraphic Unit Investigation Method 348
The Diagnostic Standard for Cleanup on the Geo-Pollution Sites 348
Environmental Quality Standards for Health in Japan 348
Drinking Water Quality Standards (DWQS) 349
Establishment of Environmental Quality Standards for Groundwater 350
Environmental Quality Standards for Soil 350
Environmental Quality Standards for Air Quality 350
Some Problems on Environmental Quality Standards of Japan from the View Point of Medical Geology 351
Specific Health Problems by Chemical Toxic Materials in Japan 352
Four Severe Health Problems in Japanese History, Kogai 352
Kogai 352
Health Problems Due to Geo-Pollution of Chemical Toxic Material in Japan 356
Breathing of Land 358
Hot Springs and Mineral Springs 358
Introduction of Spas 358
The History of Hot Springs 359
Methodologies of Hot Springs 360
Development of Hot Spring Facilities 360
Hot Water Supply Methods 360
Bathing Customs 361
Balneotherapy 361
Bathing 361
Drinking 363
Medical Effects of Bathing and Drinking 363
Hot Spring Types and Geology in Japan 363
Arima Type Hot Springs 363
Green Tuff Hot Springs 363
Volcanic Activity of the Quaternary Period 366
References 368
Medical Geology in Hellas: The Lavrion Environmental Pollution Study 370
Introduction 370
Lithology 372
Chemical Composition of Parent Rocks 372
Metallurgical Processing Wastes 374
Chemical Composition of Metallurgical Processing Wastes 374
Land Use 378
Lead and Arsenic in Rock, Overburden and House Dust and Consequences to Health 379
Toxic Effects of Lead 380
Distribution of Lead (Pb) in Rocks 381
Distribution of Lead (Pb) in Metallurgical Processing Wastes 382
Distribution of Lead (Pb) in Overburden 382
Distribution of Lead (Pb) in House Dust 384
Distribution of Blood-Lead in Children 385
Lead (Pb) in Deciduous Teeth 387
Toxic Effects of Arsenic 387
Distribution of Arsenic (As) in Rocks 387
Distribution of Arsenic (As) in Metallurgical Wastes 388
Distribution of Arsenic (As) in Overburden and House Dust 389
Distribution of Arsenic (As) in Urine 389
Development of an Environmental Management Plan 392
Development of Site-Specific Soil Action Levels 392
Development of Conceptual Site Model and Methodology for Remediation 394
Discussion and Conclusions 398
References 400
Index 406