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Medical geology : azorean volcanic islands as a case study
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resumo, Índice, Introdução | 1.4 MB | Adobe PDF | ||
| Documento Principal | 4.63 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Abstract(s)
A Geologia Médica é definida como a ciência que lida com as relações entre os materiais e processos geológicos e, os seus impactos na saúde das populações humanas e animais. A interdisciplinaridade desta ciência já permitiu associar as doenças transmitidas pela água, as doenças infeciosas emergentes, a presença ou a falta de determinados elementos-traço e as emissões vulcânicas com o desenvolvimento de doenças. O objetivo desta tese foi desenvolver uma abordagem integrada de Geologia Médica, a fim de estudar algumas das características específicas do Arquipélago dos Açores. O foco foi colocado em descrever o perfil geoquímico de alguns compostos bem como, o seu efeito na saúde, permitindo o desenvolvimento de estudos de avaliação de risco.
A primeira abordagem do estudo consistiu na avaliação das concentrações de dióxido de carbono, radão, flúor e iodo em matrizes como o ar, a água, o solo e a vegetação; isto permitiu distinguir as áreas com altas concentrações destes elementos das áreas com baixas concentrações e, modelar a deposição / absorção destes elementos no meio ambiente. A segunda parte do estudo consistiu na determinação das condições de exposição que promovem a deterioração das condições de saúde. A exposição crónica ao dióxido de carbono e radão de origem vulcânica, em zonas hidrotermais, foi associada com o desenvolvimento de problemas do foro respiratório e com a ocorrência de danos no ADN em células epiteliais orais humanas, respetivamente. Relativamente aos elementos-traço, observou-se que as águas subterrâneas são naturalmente ricas em fluoreto e que o seu consumo contribui positivamente para os valores de ingestão de flúor acima das diretrizes recomendadas; este problema atinge maiores proporções se considerarmos que o consumo de água não é a única via de exposição: o flúor também está presente em alimentos e bebidas (e.g. chá), e é um aditivo para vários produtos odontológicos. Considerando o iodo, verificou-se que o aporte deste elemento é insuficiente nas populações humanas dos Açores devido à geomorfologia das suas ilhas e ao seu clima, que podem influenciar a disponibilidade e biodisponibilidade ambiental deste elemento.
Esta tese reforça a necessidade de identificar agentes geológicos prejudiciais e de determinar as condições de exposição que promovem a deterioração das condições de saúde. Este conhecimento poderá ser de grande utilidade para ajudar e orientar as autoridades no desenvolvimento e implementação de estratégias, programas e abordagens necessárias para eliminar ou minimizar os riscos para a saúde e contribuir para a melhoria do bem-estar das populações.
ABSTRACT: Medical Geology is defined as the science dealing with the relationships between geological materials and geologic processes and their impacts on health problems in man and animals. This science interdisciplinary approach has linked waterborne diseases, emerging infectious diseases, health effects of trace elements and volcanic emissions to human diseases. The aim of this thesis was to apply a Medical Geology integrated approach in order to study some specific characteristics of the Azores archipelago. The core was placed on describing the geochemical profile of some natural occurring compounds and their effects in human health; this allowed the development of risk assessment studies. The first part of the study consisted on the assessment of the background concentrations of carbon dioxide, radon, fluoride and iodine in the air, water, soil and vegetation; this allowed to distinct areas with high concentrations of these elements from the areas with low concentrations, and to model the deposition/uptake of these substances in the environment. The second part of the study consisted in the determination of the conditions of exposure that promote deteriorating health conditions. The chronic exposure to volcanogenic carbon dioxide and radon in hydrothermal areas was associated with the development of respiratory defects and with the occurrence of DNA damage in human oral epithelial cells, respectively. As for the trace elements, it was observed that groundwater naturally enriched in fluoride contribute positively for fluoride intake, reaching, in some cases, values above the recommended guidelines; this issue reaches higher proportions if we consider that water consumption is not the only exposure pathway: fluoride is also present in food and beverages (e.g. tea), and as an additive to various dental products. Considering iodine, the intake of this element is insufficient in Azorean oceanic islands due to the islands' geomorphology and climate that can difficult iodine environmental availability and bioavailability. This thesis reinforces the need to identify harmful geologic agents and to determine the conditions of exposure that promote deteriorating health conditions. This knowledge can be very useful since it will assist and guide authorities in the implementation and development of strategies, programs and approaches necessary to eliminate or minimize health risks, improving the well-being of the communities.
ABSTRACT: Medical Geology is defined as the science dealing with the relationships between geological materials and geologic processes and their impacts on health problems in man and animals. This science interdisciplinary approach has linked waterborne diseases, emerging infectious diseases, health effects of trace elements and volcanic emissions to human diseases. The aim of this thesis was to apply a Medical Geology integrated approach in order to study some specific characteristics of the Azores archipelago. The core was placed on describing the geochemical profile of some natural occurring compounds and their effects in human health; this allowed the development of risk assessment studies. The first part of the study consisted on the assessment of the background concentrations of carbon dioxide, radon, fluoride and iodine in the air, water, soil and vegetation; this allowed to distinct areas with high concentrations of these elements from the areas with low concentrations, and to model the deposition/uptake of these substances in the environment. The second part of the study consisted in the determination of the conditions of exposure that promote deteriorating health conditions. The chronic exposure to volcanogenic carbon dioxide and radon in hydrothermal areas was associated with the development of respiratory defects and with the occurrence of DNA damage in human oral epithelial cells, respectively. As for the trace elements, it was observed that groundwater naturally enriched in fluoride contribute positively for fluoride intake, reaching, in some cases, values above the recommended guidelines; this issue reaches higher proportions if we consider that water consumption is not the only exposure pathway: fluoride is also present in food and beverages (e.g. tea), and as an additive to various dental products. Considering iodine, the intake of this element is insufficient in Azorean oceanic islands due to the islands' geomorphology and climate that can difficult iodine environmental availability and bioavailability. This thesis reinforces the need to identify harmful geologic agents and to determine the conditions of exposure that promote deteriorating health conditions. This knowledge can be very useful since it will assist and guide authorities in the implementation and development of strategies, programs and approaches necessary to eliminate or minimize health risks, improving the well-being of the communities.
Description
Tese de Doutoramento, Biologia, especialidade em Biomedicina, 22 de Setembro 2017, Universidade dos Açores.
Keywords
Biomedicina Geologia Médica Vulcanismo Hidrotermal Medical Geology Azores Archipelago
Citation
Linhares, Diana Paula Silva. "Medical geology: azorean volcanic islands as a case study". 2017. 205 p.. (Tese de Doutoramento em Biologia). Ponta Delgada: Universidade dos Açores, 2016. [Consult. Dia Mês Ano]. Disponível em www:<http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/4570>.