Research Poster 36 x 48 - F

1
3. Medical Geology Example Applications and
Research Directives
By Angela Devenberg Western Oregon University
CASE STUDIES
INTRODUCTION
ABSTRACT
Bangladesh and surrounding areas are highly
contaminated with arsenic in the drinking water.
Millions have been affected with skin disease and
disorders. Mt. Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland,
recently erupted producing lots of ash. Sulfur
dioxide was released posing potential health
issues as well as fluoride. Fluoride will cause
contamination in the water and threaten the
livestock, especially sheep (Figure 8).
Washougal, WA recently declared emergency due
to high levels of radon gases in city buildings.
Radon is the second leading cause for lung
disease.
Medical geology can affect humans and animals
directly and indirectly. Examples include
release of elemental constituents into the
environment from geology sources. Arsenic,
Molybdenum and Radon are a few of the compounds
that pose health risks. These elements are found
in drinking water and soil. Some of the health
risks associated with these elements includes
skin disease, reproductive problems, and lung
cancer. Other phenomena include natural hazards
like earthquakes and volcanoes, which may cause
catastrophic deaths or long-term chronic health
conditions. Geologic health hazards, from gas
clouds to lahars, may cause a wide variety of
health problems ranging from asthma to death.
This paper will examine the spectrum of
applications in the emerging field of medical
geology. Geologists play an important role by
recognizing what actions need to be taken to
reduce and prevent the risks associated with
geologic health hazards. Through educational
outreach programs, geologists work to increase
public awareness of environmental health issues.
Medical Geology is defined as the science dealing
with the relationship between geological factors
and health problems in humans, animals and
plants. Many of these elements are transferred
through humans from food, water and the air we
breathe. There are many different aliments that
can be related to geology and some of these can
be severe.
Figure 4. Dust storm Sept. 2009 Sydney, Australia
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Health issues from the mentioned geologic
processes range from moderate to severe
problems. Soil, air and water contamination
cause respiratory problems, lung issues and can
even cause death. Other issues can be skin
diseases, growth problems, and deformities.
Dust and ash from volcanoes and earthquakes
cause asthma, respiratory problems, lung issues,
and death. These natural hazards can also cause
landslides which have an affect on humans as
well. The movement of the land can trigger
different elements such as funguses to be
airborne which would be inhaled and cause some
serious lung and skin problems (Figure 7).
Figure 2. Areas effected by heavy metals
Figure 8. The eruption of Mt. Eyiafjallajokull
in Iceland
GEOLOGIC PROCESS

• Soil, air and water are the direct essentials
  related to the health effects on animals and
  humans. Element and minerals are causing great
  health issues around the world
• Radon
• Arsenic (Figure 5)
• Selenium
• Iodine (Figure 6)
• Mercury
• Lead
• Natural hazards are also affecting humans and
  animals
• Dust Storms (Figure 4)
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Flooding
• Landslides

Figure 9. Ways radon enters a house
CONCLUSION
Medical geology is an ancient study, but over the
last few decades geologists have been studying
the subject. Knowing what geologic processes,
natural hazards and the affects they contribute
to the world geologists can now learn ways to
prevent such problems or minimize the severity of
the health problems. Geologists are taking
action with educational programs and have great
opportunities to help the world in the field.
Figure 5. Skin disease caused by drinking
groundwater contaminated with arsenic
Figure 6. Iodine deficiency
Figure 1. Asthma
CONTACT
REFERENCES
Name Angela Devenberg Organization
Western Oregon University Email
abriggs06_at_wou.edu

• Bowman et al., 2003, Medical Geology New
  Relevance in the Earth Sciences, Episodes, v.26,
  no. 4, p. 270-278.
• Dissanayake, 2005, Of stones and health
  Medical geology in Sri Lanka Science, v. 309, p.
  883- 885
• Selinus, 2004, Medical Geology an emerging
  speciality Terrae, v. 1., p. 8-15
• Selinus et al., 2008, Medical Geology A new
  future for geology European Geologist
• Wikipedia contributors. "2010 eruptions of
  Eyjafjallajökull." Wikipedia, The Free
  Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,
  24 May. 2010. Web. 25 May. 2010

Figure 7. Valley fever caused by airborne
funguses
Figure 3. Animal deformity from water
contamination