The university hosts the international congress on Cadmium and Trace Elements 19 June 2026 The University of Sassari hosts the event from 24 to 26 June ICTEC2026 – International Cadmium and Trace Elements Conference , the authoritative international scientific congress dedicated to research on cadmium and trace elements in the environment, ecosystems and human health. The event is organized by the University of Sassari (UniSS) in collaboration with ISRCT – International Society for Research on Cadmium and Trace Elements Toxicity, coordinated by Professor Roberto Madeddu, Chairman of the congress. On Wednesday 24th from 11:00, in the Aula Magna, the official opening ceremony will be held in the presence of the Rector Gavino Mariotti, then the works will continue in the afternoon in the ERSU conference room in via Coppino 19 from 2.30pm to 6.45pm and for the entire days of 25 and 26 June. A scientific and social challenge of our time The study of trace elements - metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury and many others present in the environment in even minimal concentrations - has become one of the most urgent and transversal scientific topics of our time. The accumulation of these elements in soils, waters, the food chain and the air we breathe does not only concern the scientific community: it is an issue that directly affects the daily lives of millions of people, the health of future generations and the sustainability of our ecosystems. Prolonged exposures even to low concentrations of trace metals are now associated with chronic pathologies, developmental disorders in children and adolescents, cardiovascular and oncological diseases. In a global context marked by growing industrialization, climate change and pressure on natural resources, understanding the behavior of these elements in the environment and their effects on the human organism has become essential for defining health policies, environmental regulations and effective prevention strategies. An event of global significance ICTEC is among the most relevant events of the international scientific community in the study of trace metals and their impact on human health, the environment and nutrition. The 2026 edition will welcome scholars, researchers, university professors, environmental experts and institutional representatives from all over the world, with delegations expected from Europe, the United States, Japan, India, Brazil, Canada and many other countries from the various continents. The presence of scholars of this caliber makes ICTEC2026 one of the most important scientific events ever hosted in Sardinia, on the topic of cadmium and trace metals, projecting the University of Sassari and the entire island at the center of the global scientific debate on one of the most urgent environmental issues of our time. «Hosting ICTEC2026 in Sassari represents a source of great satisfaction for our University and for the entire territory», declares Roberto Madeddu. «The presence of scholars from all over the world testifies to the value of the research activities developed by the University of Sassari and offers an important opportunity for scientific discussion on the topics of environmental health, sustainability and the protection of public health. We are certain that the congress will contribute to strengthening international collaborations and further promoting Sardinia's role in the panorama of international scientific research." The location: Sassari The congress will take place in Sassari, between the Aula Magna of the University of Sassari, where the inauguration is scheduled for the morning of the 24th, and the ERSU conference room, where around one hundred scientific presentations are planned. The scientific program and the impact on research The program includes plenary sessions with internationally renowned keynote speakers, oral presentations and poster sessions on topics such as environmental monitoring of heavy metals, impacts on the health of exposed populations, new remediation technologies and the most recent European and global regulatory policies. ICTEC2026 will have a significant impact on the advancement of scientific research: the direct comparison between the main world schools of thought will encourage the birth of new international collaborations, accelerate the sharing of data and innovative methodologies and contribute to defining the global scientific agenda on the topic of trace elements for the coming years. Ample space will be reserved for young researchers, with dedicated sessions, mentorship and prizes for the best communications, with a view to building the next generation of experts in the sector.