On September 8, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) opened a public consultation on the Draft List of Toxic and Hazardous Soil Pollutants Subject to Priority Control (1st Batch) (hereinafter referred to as the Draft List). It includes 18 types of chemicals (see table below), all of which are also in lists of toxic and hazardous water pollutants (1st Batch and Daft of the 2nd Batch). Comments are welcome before September 25, 2023.
Pollutant Name | |
1 | Cadmium and cadmium compounds |
2 | Chromium and chromium compounds |
3 | Mercury and mercury compounds |
4 | Lead and lead compounds |
5 | Arsenic and arsenic compounds |
6 | 1,1-Dichloroethylene |
7 | 1,2-Dichloropropane |
8 | 2,4-Dinitrotoluene |
9 | Benzene |
10 | Benzo[a]pyrene |
11 | Benzo[b]fluoranthene |
12 | Benzo[k]fluoranthene |
13 | Dichloromethane |
14 | Toluene |
15 | Cyanide |
16 | Trichloromethane |
17 | Trichloroethylene |
18 | Tetrachloroethylene |
The abovementioned 18 chemicals were screened out based on the Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals (1st Batch and 2nd Batch). They meet all the following conditions:
Chemicals that are detectable in soil or have the ability to exist in soil for long time.
Chemicals that are subject to national and local standards for soil pollution risk control, and for which soil monitoring methods are already available.
Chemicals that have relevant emission limit standards and exceed the limits in detailed investigations of soil pollution status.
If adopted, in accordance with the Law on Soil Pollution Prevention, enterprises that involve these 18 chemicals in certain industries (e.g., mining, manufacturing, electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply, etc.) should comply with relevant measures regarding restrictions and alternatives. Moreover, the authorities at the local level should strengthen the source control, and incorporate these key soil pollutants into the scope of toxic and hazardous substances that should be considered when determining key soil pollution supervision units.
In the past months of 2023, many provisions regarding the control of key pollutants and chemicals of very high concern were implemented or proposed. China is making efforts to prevent environmental risks and protect public health, contributing to the ongoing improvements in China’s ecosystem. See ChemLinked previous articles below:
