1. Name: Kacey McCallister Major: Intergraded Science Ed. Email: kmccallister08@wou.edu Coal and fibrous minerals have many adverse health effects in those individuals that encounter them through mining, industrial processing, or domestic use. Certain coals that are found in China are used to dry crops such as corn and peppers, as well as in cooking. Unfortunately, the coal that is available in that region contains high amounts of arsenic and fluoride. Exposure leads to many health issues such as decay of the teeth, bowed and crippled limbs, and scaly skin. Another mineral resource with direct and harmful side effects is asbestos. Asbestos minerals tend towards a fibrous habit that is very dangerous to the body because of their ability to enter into the lungs and alter cell function. Those afflicted with respiratory illnesses slowly find it harder to breath because of tissue hardening over time. This paper examines the effects of mineral resource extraction and the effects of the environment on human health 18. Impacts of Mineral Resource Extraction: The Effects of Coal and Asbestos Residues on Human Health Created by: Kacey McCallister Inhaled Black Lung Diseases (Figure2) -From mining coal -Blackens lungs like that of a smoker Asbestosis -Due to close everyday contact (mining/production) -Shortness of breath/gradual hardening of the lungs Mesoteliomas (Figure3) -Due to everyday exposure -Cancer due to asbestos Consumed Arsenic poisoning (Figure4) -Due to drying crops with coal -Symptoms range from vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches, to kidney, liver and lung problems, as well as sever skin disease Fluoride poisoning (Figure5) -Due to pregnant mothers consuming crops dried with coal -Severe bone and teeth abnormalities Coal is generated from the compacting and condensing of organic matter. Most of it comes from swamp material that has been compacted over many years. Eventually, with layer upon layer, the biomass builds until it eventually begins to compact down. This process also requires heat and most importantly time (Figure 6). Asbestos is created through the same process as other crystals go through (Figure 7). Slowly growing inside other types of rocks. Commonly found in three rock types: serpentinites, altered ultramafic rocks, and some mafic rocks. Other factors in the growing and formation of the mineral is faulting and fracturing of the host rock. The deposits can be anywhere from small vein like deposits, to areas that can be successfully mined (Figure 8). The coal that we have here in the United States has different properties and internal components than the kind we find in China. In America, we find the greatest problems from coal come in the mining process (Figure 1). In other places, the danger comes not from the mining of the coal, but from the content that is released from burning of the coal for drying of crops. Causing problems, not only for the people using the dried products, but also for future generations. Other minerals that are known for their destructive nature to the human body through means of breathing is asbestos. This is mainly found in those who mine the mineral, but there is also potential risk to those exposed to it through consumer channels. INTRODUCTION GEOLOGIC PROCESS http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/finkleman_etal_2003.pdf http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/finkleman_2007.pdf http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/hillerdal_2003.pdf http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/orem_etal_2007.pdf http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/robbins_2003.pdf http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/g473/med_geo/wang_etal_2006.pdf SO WHAT CASE STUDY HEALTH CONCERNS AND EFFECTS REFERENCES Figure 7 Crystalline of Asbestos Figure 4 Hyperkeretosis from arsenic poisoning Figure 6 Formation of coal Figure 3 Asbestos exposed lung ABSTRACT CONTACT In the Guizhou providence in China, it is common to dry crops over an open coal fire. The coal that is used is high in arsenic and fluoride. For example, fresh chili peppers have less than 1 part per million (ppm) of arsenic. Whereas, when it is dried over the high arsenic coal it can have as much as 500 ppm arsenic. This causes severe hyperkeretosis (Figure 4) which is a severe decaying of the skin. Problems from arsenic pale when compared with the medical problems associated with fluoride. More than 10 million people in the Guizhou Providence and surrounding areas suffer from various forms of fluorosis and coal combustion. Typical signs of fluorosis include mottling of tooth enamel, osteosclerosis, limited movement of the joints, and outward manifestations such as knock-knees, bowlegs, and spinal curvature (Figure 5). Figure1 Coal mining Figure 2 Black Lung Disease Figure 5 Deformation due to fluoride 1. Coal is a useful fuel for many of the world’s population. Yet, there are many concerns that arise in the production and use of this fossilized plant matter. 2. Asbestos is a very useful building material because of it’s resistance to heat. Even though it is so useful it has very harmful health effects. This is because of the extremely long and thin construction of the crystals, which allows for easy entry into the lungs. (Figure 7). Figure 8 Commercial product Of Asbestos