DEAR COLLEAGUES!

On behalf of the Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the China-Ireland Concord of IMGA, we are delighted to invite you to participate in MEDGEO 2019: the 8th International Conference on Medical Geology, to be held in Guiyang, China, during August 12–15, 2019 (Conference website: www.medgeo2019.com).

The Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGCAS) hosts the Conference with the support of the Guangzhou University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), National University of Ireland, Galway, Guizhou Medical University and the International Medical Geology Association (IMGA).

The IGCAS was founded in 1966, which is the one of the world leading research institutions in environmental geochemistry, ore deposit geochemistry, experimental geochemistry, and lunar and planetary science. In 1989, the Sate Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry (SKLEG) was founded, which was officially approved by the state authority in 1995. It has a long history of studying the relationships between natural geological factors and the endemic diseases. At present time, heavy metal pollution and human health is the main research field of SKLEG.

Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou province of Southwest China, well-known as China's first “Forest City” and one of the best summer resorts, with an area of 8,034 square kilometers and a population of 4.3 million. The Mountain Park-Colorful Guizhou is abundant on natural beauties and resources as well as ethnic customs. The Karst landscape in Libo, the Red Cliff in Chishui, and the Huangguoshu Waterfall will surely impress you. Qing Yan Ancient town, Xijiang Miao Village, and Zhaoxing Dong village are famous for traditional minority culture. Guizhou is the homeland of National liquor-Moutai and paradise of Chinese snacks.

MEDGEO conferences are held once every two years, providing a unique opportunity to share new research progress on medical geology and make friends for further international cooperation. The Conference will include workshops, plenary lectures, general lectures as well as fieldtrips, which will give the participants better understanding of the main issues on medical geology.

We look forward to seeing you in Guiyang in 2019!

Faithfully yours,

Chair of MEDGEO 2019:

Xinbin Feng, vice director, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, (E-mail: fengxinbin@vip.skleg.cn)

Co-Chairs of MEDGEO 2019:

Tangfu Xiao, Guangzhou University (E-mail: tfxiao@gzhu.edu.cn)

Yanxin Wang, President, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), E-mail: yx.wang@cug.edu.cn.

Chaosheng Zhang, National University of Ireland, Galway, E-mail: Chaosheng.Zhang@nuigalway.ie

Aihua Zhang, Guizhou Medical University, E-mail: aihuagzykd@163.com

MEDGEO 2019 Organizing Committee