Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 10.1
Biosolids application in Oregon, OH. The left picture is the tractor and applicator and
the right picture shows the field after the application
organic matter is predominantly in the form of the complex polyphenolic humic and
fulvic acids. In Ohio, the typical application is in late summer after winter wheat
has been harvested. The following year, corn is most often planted on the amended
fields.
10.3 GIS and Human Health
Health effects basically function at the level of the individual, although research
concerned with the environmental impacts (the natural, social, and built settings
experienced by individuals) on health can be analyzed as area-level effects. The
health of the population in relationship to the environment can be plotted to deter-
mine the presence of patterns, a potential spatial relationship between health and
physical proximity to particular phenomena spatial analysis. Historically, Dr. John
Snow, a British physician, was one of the first to investigate an environmental health
problem in a geographical context. During a Cholera outbreak in 1854, Snow plotted
the cases of Cholera on a map of London. He then identified a cluster of residences,
which accounted for most of the deaths, around a public water pump. Once the pump
was disabled, the incidence of cholera dropped (Schultz
2007
).
The role of geography in epidemiology and public health in the present is much
more robust. Within environmental health, disease ecology, and public health, GIS
has become an indispensable tool. Contributing to the acceptance and expanding
use of GIS within health sciences is the availability of large amounts of environmen-
tal data as well as GIS internet functionality (Kistemann et al.
2002
). The greatest
potential of GIS lies in its ability to clearly show the results from complex research
through maps (Mullner et al.
2004
).
10.3.1 Biosolids and Human Health
Due to the lack of existing substantiated studies, scientists differ in opinion on the
nature and intensity of impacts of biosolids application. Some argue that US and
state EPAs have arbitrarily chosen toxicity thresholds and therefore, the impacts
