China MEE Steps Up New Pollutant Monitoring System Establishment

The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) is currently soliciting public feedback on the draft framework for the standard system concerning new pollutants monitoring. Comments are welcome before March 29, 2024.

Background

China has made initial progress in establishing an ecological environment monitoring standard system. However, the framework for monitoring standards specifically designed for new pollutants is not clear, and the existing standards are limited in number and coverage. This hinders effective monitoring of new pollutants. To meet the need for new pollutant control, there is an urgent need to develop a comprehensive monitoring standard system for new pollutants. From 2021 to 2023, MEE has organized pilot monitoring of new pollutants in the Yangtze River Basin and 10 provinces including Hebei, Guangdong, and Guangxi, and has simultaneously studied technology and methods for new pollutants monitoring. On March 13, 2024, the MEE issued the draft framework for public consultation.

Monitoring Indicators

The monitoring indicators include microplastics, antibiotics, PCP, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, etc., mainly focusing on new pollutants and chemicals that have been included in the following control lists or regulations:

• List of New Pollutants for Priority Management (2023)

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

• Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals (1st Batch)

• Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals (2nd Batch)

• First Batch of Priority Chemicals Subject to Environmental Risk Assessment

Monitoring Media

The monitoring media primarily include water and wastewater, ambient air and exhaust gas, soil and sediments, solid waste, etc. For new pollutants with weak volatility, environmental air and exhaust gas monitoring media are not considered.

Standard Types

A total of 219 standards are within the draft framework, covering the following three types:

• Technical specification (6)

• Analytical method standards (182)

• Standard specimen (31)

Among the 219 standards, 50 standards have been issued, 25 standards are under formulation, and 144 standards are proposed for preparation (see table below).