Scientists now say that soil pollution may soon be an even bigger environmental challenge in China than air and water pollution. Arsenic, along with toxic metals from mines and factories, is contaminating Chinese soil in increasing amounts.
Anywhere from 10-40 percent of China’s soil may be affected, according to experts. The Chinese government hasn’t released results from a six-year study on soil pollution, and scientists have been forbidden from sharing any preliminary results.
Arsenic is one of the worst polluters, coming from China’s 280,000 mines. About 70 percent of the world’s arsenic is found in China, where it is released in the process of mining minerals like copper and gold. Arsenic is highly toxic, killing most plants and able to sicken and kill humans when it contaminates groundwater.
Lead, pesticides and fertilizers are causing additional soil damage, and other pollutants from air and water eventually reach the soil as well. In addition to the threat to human health, soil pollution also threatens agriculture. Close to 12 billion kilograms of food grown in China is ruined each year because of pollution.
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