R.s.v.p. by Sept. 19 by calling Cheryl Howerton at 972-860-4269 or by sending an e-mail to cHowerton@dcccd.edu.
Every day of our lives we eat, drink and breathe minerals and trace elements. For most of us, this interaction with natural materials is harmless, perhaps even beneficial, supplying us with some essential nutrients. However, for some, the interaction with the minerals and trace elements can have devastating, even fatal effects. Examples that will be discussed include: trace quantities of asbestos in a vermiculite deposit that have devastated a town in Montana and have recently impacted the Dallas area; a deadly fungus mobilized by earthquakes; natural groundwater that has contributed to the death of more than 100,000 people in the Balkans; and coal in China that has created health problems for millions. In every case there are opportunities for geoscientists to work with medical researchers and public health officials to mitigate the health problems.
Dr. Finkelman is an internationally recognized scientist widely known for his work on coal chemistry and as a leader of the emerging field of medical geology. He has a diverse professional background, having worked for the federal government (USGS) and private industry (Exxon). He has formed a consulting company, Environmental and Coal Associates, and has lectured and provided mentorship at colleges and universities around the world. Dr. Finkelman is the co-director of the International Medical Geology Association, a member of the UN's International Year of Planet Earth, Science Information Team for Earth and Health and editor of the award-winning book Essentials of Medical Geology.