Medical Geology at Western Oregon University Curriculum Overview

Steve Taylor, RG, PhD, Professor of GeologyEarth 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 SymposiumDecember 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 StudentsA. Experiential education – camping and rafting on

Deschutes RiverB. Class introduction and team buildingC. Mentoring mixer for year 1-2-3 nursing students

II. Online Course CurriculumA. Seminar-style journal readings and written summariesB. Synthesis review questionsC. Capstone case study seminar presentations

ES408 Thematic UnitsUnit 1 – Introduction

Unit 2 - Geologic Factors and Human HealthA. Earth MaterialsB. Processes and Hazards

Unit 3 – Water Resources and BiogeochemistryA. Water Geochemistry and HealthB. Biological Functions of Elements

Unit 4 - Anthropogenic Factors and Regional GeologyA. Soil-Water-Air PollutionB. Global Geochemical PatternsC. Spatial Distribution of Disease and Hazards

Unit 5 – Case Studies

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

ES408 Seminar Reading Summaries – Fall 2015

Geologic Pathways and Environmental Health

Geochemistry and HealthRadon and Lung Cancer

Arsenic and Groundwater

Iodine and SeleniumDeficiency

Mercury and Lead Poisoning

Fluorosis

Geologic Processes and HealthDust Storms

Earthquakes

VolcanicEruptions Landslides and

Flooding

Environmental Exposure

Asbestosis Coal Dust and Black Lung

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 taylors@wou.edu or visit www.wou.edu/MedGeo

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION