FIRST CIRCULAR. 2nd International Symposium on Medical Geology in Africa (ISMGAf-2) Medical Geology in brief. University of Johannesburg

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1 2nd International Symposium on Medical Geology in Africa (ISMGAf-2) 5-7 November 2018 University of Johannesburg Kingsway Campus Republic of South Africa Medical Geology in brief Medical Geology is a complex field of science that requires multi/inter/cross-disciplinary approaches, bringing together experts from various fields of science, including geology, biology, geography, biochemistry, toxicology, epidemiology, etc. Recent advances in science and technology have proven that the geology of an area can have direct impacts on the regional input of elements and minerals into the soil, air, and water. Depending on the composition and concentration these inputs may result in beneficial or harmful health effects in humans, animals and plants. Therefore, by understanding the geological history and background of our environment, we will be able to contribute to better and deeper insight into our understanding of a range of natural hazards that can affect (directly or indirectly) our health and that of animals and may result in mitigation and even prevention of some widespread and serious health problems. FIRST CIRCULAR The University of Johannesburg is proud to host the 2nd International Symposium on Medical Geology in Africa (ISMGAf-2) to be organised from the 5 to 7 November To date, this event is sponsored by the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and the International Union of Geological Science (IUGS).

2 Status of Medical Geology at the University of Johannesburg Since 2013, Medical Geology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa has seen a significant growth through training of Postgraduate students from all over Africa. It started with one part-time South African postgraduate student in 2013 sponsored by the Council of Geoscience, and evolved into 2 full-time Kenyan students in 2015 sponsored by the University of Johannesburg through the prestigious Global Excellence and Stature (GES) Program awarded to top students, and then evolved to a more Pan-African initiative in 2018 with 14 Postgraduate students representing 5 African countries and beyond, including 1 student from Pakistan. The University of Johannesburg became the main destination hosting 11 of these postgraduate students jointly supervised by colleagues from various departments (Geology, Applied Chemistry and Food Technology) from the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at the University of Johannesburg and colleagues from a number of other African and non-african countries including Portugal, Sweden, Australia, UK, USA, Pakistan, Nigeria, Namibia and Ghana. The rest of the students are based and jointly supervised at other Universities in South Africa including so far Witwatersrand and Venda Universities. The main sponsors of these students are the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Johannesburg with support from all other universities and organisations involved in the supervision including the Council for Geoscience (CGS) and PARC RGM Radon Gas monitoring (Pty) Ltd. Why an ISMGAf? Medical Geology has seen important growth in some parts of the world during recent years. However, the field is still not yet well developed in Africa although it is in this continent that research in this field would be most relevant. The African continent is characterized by a very complex and dynamic geological history including frequent earthquakes, volcanic activities in tectonically active regions, pervasive dust and water toxicity due to interaction with the geological environment leading to natural concentrations of potentially toxic elements. In addition, disruption of the natural environment due to extensive mining activities, may contribute to the release of these elements into our environment etc. All these processes and materials can have short and/or long term impact on humans and animals health. The main objective of this meeting is to provide a platform for discussion, for the development of research and training of students in medical geology, and to seek solutions to various geological and environmental issues. We believe that these discussions will lead to a better characterization and understanding of naturally-occurring trace elements and toxic elements in groundwater, soil, and rocks and will help to explain patterns of some common diseases on the African continent such as various types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, fluorosis, thyroid disorders etc.

3 When, where and what was the outcome of the 1st ISMGAf? The 1st International Symposium in Medical Geology in Africa (ISMGAf), was held on 24-26th of March 2014 at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The program consisted of a 1 day symposium (oral presentations and discussions) and a 2 day short course presented by Prof. Jose Centeno; a toxicologist from the Joint Pathology Center, USA, Past Chairman of the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) and Dr. Mark Cave; a Project Manager of the Geochemical Baselines and Medical Geology Division from the British Geological Survey (BGS), United Kingdom. The event was very successful. It attracted 65 delegates (including 30 postgraduate students) representing different organisations (public health, universities, consulting and mining companies) from 5 countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Germany, USA and UK). The oral presentations by delegates covered a wide range of topics from sources and characterisation of potentially harmful elements and compounds, to determination of geochemical backgrounds development of comprehensive databases pertaining to medical geology, and to the effects of geophaphy in Africa. Where will be the 2nd ISMGAf? For 2018, the University of Johannesburg in South Africa will continue to be the host of the event. However, we hope that we will be able to take the event to other South African Universities and countries in the near future. Group photo of the Pan-African Medical Geology Postgraduate students at UJ, with Hassina Mouri. What is the program of the 2nd ISMGAf? The provisional general program of this meeting will consist of a 2 day short course followed by a 1 day discussion meeting (oral and posters presentations) on research in the field of Medical Geology. During this event we will share the results of the projects conducted by the Postgraduate students on different parts and issues related to the African continent. Invited Speakers During this event, we will have the privilege of inviting some of the most renowned experts in the field of Medical Geology including Prof Robert Finkelman (USA) and Prof Olle Selinus (Sweden) co-founders of the discipline and Prof Kim Dowling (Australia), Prof Brenda Buck (USA) and Dr Mark Cave (UK).

4 Short biography of the invited speakers on the day of the oral and poster presentations Prof Robert B. Finkelman, Research Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, USA. Bob Finkelman is widely known for his work in the emerging field of Medical Geology. Amongst some of the important leadership positions that Bob Finkelman occupied are: Chair of the International Association for Cosmochemistry and Geochemistry, Working Group on Geochemistry and Disease and founding member and cochair of the International Medical Geology Association, and Chair of the Geological Society of America s Geology and Health Division. Further information on Bob Finkelman can be found at: Prof Olle Selinus, Retired Professor Affiliated with Linneaus University in Kalmar, Sweden. Since 1980 Prof Selinus research work has focused mainly on environmental geochemistry, geostatistical methods and medical geology. He served as Editor-in- Chief for the book Essentials of Medical Geology published in 2005 and as editor of the book Medical Geology a regional synthesis published in In 2006, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM). He acted as chairman of Earth and Health of the IUGS-UN- UNESCO initiative of Planet Earth (IYPE), and chairman of the health sector of the 4th GeoUnions Initiative as well as Senior Advisor of IYPE. He is founding member and co-chair of the International Medical Geology Association. Further information on Prof Selinus can be found at: org/pages/public/imga/bios/olle_selinus.html Short Biography of the invited speakers for short course Dr Mark Cave, A Medical Geologist Project Leader, British Geological Survey Nottingham, UK. Mark Cave is a Principal Scientist and the Medical Geology project leader for the land use and planning science area of the British Geological Survey (BGS). He has developed new sequential extraction methodologies for identification of the solid phase distribution (geoavailability) of potentially harmful elements in soils and sediments. He is chairman of BARGE (Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe) who is an international group working to develop harmonised protocols for bioaccessibility testing and the production of a soil reference material for in-vitro bioaccessibility measurements. He has also wide experience in investigating the geological controls on the bioaccessibility of naturally occurring arsenic in the UK. Further information on Dr Cave, can be found at:

5 Prof Kim Dowling, Associate Professor, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia. Kim Dowling s research addresses the identification, characterisation and remediation of contaminated sites, with an emphasis on historical mining environments. She is interested in the sustainability of mining and maintaining environmental quality. She has extensive experience working in both the mining industry and the tertiary education sector, and actively contributes to local and international discussions on environmental health and the emerging multidisciplinary field of medical geology. Further information about Prof Dowling can be found at: council-members/associate-professor-kim-dowling Dr Brenda Buck, Professor in the Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA. Dr Buck s research focuses on Medical Geology, in particular how geological materials impact health. Currently her work focuses on dust and hazards associated with dust exposure including those from asbestiform minerals, arsenic, and other carcinogens. Dr Buck has been elected Fellow in both the Geological Society of America & the Soil Science Society of America. She is the 16th recipient of the M.L. & C.M. Jackson Award for Outstanding Contributions in Soil Mineralogy/Chemistry by the Soil Science Society of America. Further information on Prof Buck, can be found at: department-faculty/brenda-j-buck/ The Scope of the Short Course The scope of the Short Course on Medical Geology is designed to share the most recent information on the relationship between the impacts of toxic metals, trace elements, natural dust and minerals, on environmental quality and public health. The scientific topics include areas in environmental toxicology, environmental pathology, epidemiology, geochemistry, as well as the extent, patterns and consequences of exposures to toxic metals as well as the deficiency of trace elements in the natural environment. Emphasis will be placed on describing the geochemistry, toxicology and health effects of natural geogenic dust (particulate matter), risk assessment studies, and modern analytical trends of particular application to medical geology. The Short Course is intended for geologists, geochemists, ecologists, chemists, biologists, occupational and environmental scientists, medical professionals, toxicologists, epidemiologists, environmental pathologists, biostatisticians and any other health, environmental and geosciences professional with interest in Medical Geology issues. There will be particular focus on the effects of toxic metal ion species on environmental and human health. An important aim of the course is to provide the opportunity for forming contacts and networks between professionals and students working in different areas of geology, environmental and human health.

6 Registration fees Early Registration (deadline 31/07/2018) University of Johannesburg Auckland Park Kingsway Campus Category Short Course (2 Days) Oral/Poster Presentations (1 Day) Full Package (3 Days) Students R 650 R 350 R 800 Academic Staff R 1200 R 800 R 1600 Industry R 1800 R 1200 R 2500 Late Registration (from 01/08 to 20/10/2018) Category Short Course (2 Days) Oral/Poster Presentations (1 Day) Full Package (3 Days) Students R 650 R 350 R 800 Academic Staff R 1300 R 1000 R 2000 Industry R 1900 R 1300 R 2800 The fees indicated above include Value Added Tax (VAT). Registration fees include: an abstract volume and/or short course material, 2 tea/coffee breaks and a lunch. The registration form can be downloaded from the following link Event organized by: Prof Hassina Mouri (PhD: Petrology) Associate Professor, Department of Geology University of Johannesburg, South Africa. hmouri@uj.ac.za / Tel: Assisted by: Dr Derek Rose (Lecturer) and Mr Patrick Gevera (PhD candidate, Medical Geology) Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.