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Medical Geology pp 79–106Cite as

Medical Geology Studies in South America

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Part of the book series: International Year of Planet Earth ((IYPE))

Abstract

“Earth and Health” or medical geology has been promoted worldwide as one of the fundamental themes of the International Year of Planet Earth (2007–2009). This was in response to relevant achievements noted in this new field of applied science from the time of the IGCP 454 project which led to foundation of the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) in 2004. In association with international movements, several academic, professional, and student groups in South America began to study medical geology which started with scientific meetings held in Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay in 2002 and 2003. In this chapter, an attempt is made to describe South American scientists’ relevant contributions to various subjects such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and selenium as well as fluorine and environmental problems affecting different parts of the continent. Some societal issues arising from medical geology studies are also highlighted from the point of view of the international risk communication and risk governance debate and the pioneering ethnographic descriptions of geophagy in the Andean and Amazonian countries. Finally, some ongoing medical geology projects in South America are identified as inspiring initiatives that may encourage future educational and research activities in this science field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Bernardino R. Figueiredo

  2. Atomic Energy National Commission, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas and University of San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marta I. Litter

  3. Geological Survey of Brazil – CPRM, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Cássio R. Silva & Fernanda G. Cunha

  4. University of the Republic of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Nelly Mañay

  5. National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia

    Sandra C. Londono

  6. INGEOMINAS, Bogotá, Colombia

    Ana Maria Rojas & Cristina Garzón

  7. Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

    Tommaso Tosiani

  8. Environmental Studies Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Gabriela M. Di Giulio

  9. University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Eduardo M. De Capitani

  10. University of Salvador, Salvador, BA, Brazil

    José Ângelo S. A. Dos Anjos

  11. Federal University of Para, Belem, PA, Brazil

    Rômulo S. Angélica

  12. University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Maria Celeste Morita & Mônica M.B. Paoliello

  13. Adolfo Lutz Institute, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Alice M. Sakuma

  14. MINEROPAR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Otávio A. Licht

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  1. Bernardino R. Figueiredo
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Correspondence to Bernardino R. Figueiredo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden

    Olle Selinus

  2. Dept. Geosciences, Center for Lithospheric Studies, University of Texas, Dallas, N. Floyd Road 2601, Richardson, 75083, USA

    Robert B. Finkelman

  3. Dept. Environmental & Toxicologic, Pathology, Armed Forces Inst. Pathology (AFIP), 16 St. NW., 6825, Washington, 20306, USA

    Jose A. Centeno

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Figueiredo, B.R. et al. (2010). Medical Geology Studies in South America. In: Selinus, O., Finkelman, R., Centeno, J. (eds) Medical Geology. International Year of Planet Earth. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3430-4_4

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