Medical Geology at Western Oregon University Curriculum Overview

Medical Geology at Western Oregon University Curriculum Overview Steve Taylor, RG, PhD, Professor of Geology Earth and Physical Science Department

Introduction ES408 Med Geo Class Format Thematic Topics Conclusion

INTRODUCTION Medical Geology: the study of the impacts of geologic materials and processes on human health Interdisciplinary field involving geoscience, biomedicine, and public health with a focus on environmental health ES408 Medical Geology Course History Spring 2010 - ES473 Academic Showcase Poster Session Summer 2012 & 2013 – Online upper division seminar reading class for WOU Earth Science Students Fall 2014 – Hybrid team building & online seminar class targeting OHSU-Monmouth nursing students

Medical Geology as a Specialty Discipline Naturally Occurring Asbestos Symposium December 18, 2014 Oakland, California

Goals of Medical Geology (1)To identify geochemical anomalies in sediment, air, and water that impact human and animal health. (2)To identify the environmental causes of known health problems and seek remedial solutions. (3)To evaluate the beneficial health effects of geologic materials and processes. (4)To inform the public of environmental health risks associated with geologic materials or processes. (5)To forge global links between countries to find solutions for environmental health problems. Bunnell et al. (2007)

ES408 Medical Geology Format I. Pre-session 3-day field trip OHSU Nursing Students A. Experiential education – camping and rafting on Deschutes River B. Class introduction and team building C. Mentoring mixer for year 1-2-3 nursing students II. Online Course Curriculum A. Seminar-style journal readings and written summaries B. Synthesis review questions C. Capstone case study seminar presentations

ES408 Thematic Units Unit 1 – Introduction Unit 2 - Geologic Factors and Human Health A. Earth Materials B. Processes and Hazards Unit 3 – Water Resources and Biogeochemistry A. Water Geochemistry and Health B. Biological Functions of Elements Unit 4 - Anthropogenic Factors and Regional Geology A. Soil-Water-Air Pollution B. Global Geochemical Patterns C. Spatial Distribution of Disease and Hazards Unit 5 – Case Studies

ES408 Seminar Reading Summaries – Fall 2015 Introductory Reading: Bunnell et al., 2007, Medical Geology: A globally emerging discipline Introductory Reading: Komatina, 2004, Chapter 1 - Introduction and Overview Reading Assignment 1: Centeno et al, 2013, Environmental Pathology Reading Assignment 2: Komatina, 2004, Anthropogenic Factors Reading Assignment 3: Edmunds and Smedley, 1996, Groundwater Geochemistry and Health Reading Assignment 4: Komatina, 2004, Geography of Disease

Geologic Pathways and Environmental Health

Geochemistry and Health Iodine and Selenium Deficiency Radon and Lung Cancer Arsenic and Groundwater Fluorosis Mercury and Lead Poisoning

Geologic Processes and Health Dust Storms Landslides and Flooding Earthquakes Volcanic Eruptions

Environmental Exposure Asbestosis Coal Dust and Black Lung

CONCLUSION Medical Geology is a rapidly emerging discipline that involves aspects of Geoscience, Biogeochemistry and Public Health. ES408 Medical Geology at Western Oregon University is offered as a hybrid online course involving seminar style, self-paced reading assignments and experiential education. ES408 Medical Geology serves as upper division electives for WOU science students and OHSU nursing students. For more information contact: Dr. Steve Taylor [email protected] or visit www.wou.edu/MedGeo