Survey to seek source of contamination
Following widespread reports on the mainland that serious heavy-metal contamination had been found in vegetables from the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong's environment chief admitted yesterday there was a problem with soil contamination.
However, Li Qing, director of the Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau, stressed that a comprehensive soil survey needed to be carried out before the extent, structure and distribution of the contamination could be identified.
The survey, which was also hoped to shed light on the sources of contamination, was expected to be completed in 2010, he said.
The seriousness of the problem was brought to light after the result of soil sampling, initiated by Guangdong's Agriculture Department, which revealed the problem in a number of cities, was reported by Guangzhou Daily on Thursday.
Another study by Sun Yat-sen University found contaminated vegetables in samples taken from 12 wet markets.
'Soil contamination affects the ecosystem as well as food safety, which is why it has caused much concern in society,' Mr Li said on the sidelines of the Guangdong People's Congress.
