Occupational Health as a Medical Geology Issue in Uruguay

Introduction
Medical Geology is an emerging discipline dealing with geosciences and health sciences relationships (www.medicalgeology.org). Mining and metallurgic are the main occupational health areas that can be approached from Medical Geology to understand the health problems caused by trace elements and mineral dust exposure from geologic material and geologic process.
Recently, research studies on Environmental and Occupational Toxicology, Analytical Chemistry, Epidemiology and Geology have been the basis to develop Medical Geology in Uruguay. The knowledge and performance of these disciplines have been improved by joining research teams and experts from different institutions together with community and trade unions delegates to face health problems on Uruguayan population arising from toxic elements exposure.

Methods
Our objectives are to describe the principal occupational heath problems linked to Medical Geology issues, and the experiences in Uruguay, focused on the development of studies on metals (Pb, Cr, etc), metalloids (As, Se, etc.) and cement dust exposure with this multidisciplinary approach.

Results
The main occupational heath examples that can be studied with a Medical Geology approach are out-door workers as farmers, builders, miners, blasters, and factory workers from coal-burning power plants, ore-processing, smelters among others. In Uruguay, developing feasible validated analytical methods for biomarkers of metal and metalloids species in blood and urine, rocks and dust composition as well as the systematically assessment of workers exposure are examples of these occupational health issues that are being approached within a multi-disciplinary team. These examples showed how the geosciences can be an integral part of a working group to control and/or mitigate occupational health problems .

Discussion
Linking Occupational Health with Medical Geology in Uruguay is of great benefit to improve research and knowledge ensuring better occupational health and safety. As in the near future an iron mega-mining project will be established these multidisciplinary working groups are highly relevant for the country.