'Toxic' soil pollution report sparks new fears over safety of mainland's home-grown food
Government admits contamination, caused by all-year-round accumulation of toxins from factories, mining and agriculture, is worse in industrialised areas such as Pearl River and Yangstze deltas
The government has raised new fears over the safety of the mainland’s home-grown food after admitting that nearly one-fifth of the nation’s soil – including 19.4 per cent of its crop-growing areas – is polluted
Worst-hit areas are those where there have been years of unrestricted industrialisation – in the Yangtze and Pearl River deltas of southern China, and parts of the northeast – the government admitted on Thursday as it revealed the findings of a survey previously kept secret.
The contamination has been caused by the all-year-round accumulation of toxins from factories, mining and agriculture, the government said.
Of key concern among scientists is cadmium, a carcinogenic metal that can cause kidney damage and other health problems, and is absorbed by rice – the nation’s staple grain.
“The overall condition of the Chinese soil allows no optimism,” said the report – carried out after a government investigation into soil quality in a variety of settings, including farmland, forests and areas earmarked for development – posted on the environment ministry website.