EARTHSCI 5203 – Geo-Environment and Human Health

 



Description

Introduction to issues related to geological environments affecting human health with an emphasis on social impacts.

Course objectives

The objectives of this course are:
1. To examine geo-environmental processes that are contributing to human health degradation and the resultant societal impacts, and
2. To give students an appreciation for the need of scientific theory and scientific methods of investigation and analysis.

Prerequisite

EarthSci 2245 (EarthSci 245), or GE or GEC data anly course or equivalent; Soph standing and above, or permission of instructor

Topical Outline

The following is a tentative, chronological outline of course lecture and associated group or individual project and exercise topics:

• Overview of Course Organization
• Environment and Infectious Diseases – Etiology, Spread, Prevention, Case Studies
  ◦ Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases
    – Malaria
    – Meningitis
    – Dengue fever
    – Schistosomiasis
    – Neglected tropical diseases
  ◦ Diarrhoea
  ◦ Meningitis – North Africa
• Process Extremes and Health – Dimensions and Infection Linkages
  ◦ Flood
  ◦ Drought and Airborne dispersion of hazardous materials
  ◦ Hurricanes, Earthquakes
• Emerging Health Problems
  ◦ Heat stress
  ◦ Environmental Stress and New Diseases
  ◦ Air pollution
    – Radon in air
    – Natural aerosolic mineral dusts and human health
• Chemical Poisoning
  ◦ Arsenic in groundwater and the environment
  ◦ Fluoride in natural waters
  ◦ Cytotoxins
  ◦ Water hardness and health effects
  ◦ Selenium deficiency and toxicity in the encironment
• Basics of Risk Assessment
  ◦ Overview, chemical transport, dose assessment, toxicity assessment
  ◦ Risk evaluation
• Climate Change and Health Implications
  ◦ Overview of climate change
  ◦ Likely impact on infectious diseases

Reference

Essentials of Medical Geology, Olle (Ed.), 2005, ISBN 978-0126363418



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