Environmental management of pesticidal POPs in China: Past, present and future

• Published in: Environment international Vol. 33; no. 7; pp. 894 - 902
• Main Authors: Wei, Dongbin, Kameya, Takashi, Urano, Kohei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; China; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Environmental Pollution - analysis; Environmental Pollution - legislation & jurisprudence; Environmental Pollution - prevention & control; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Global environmental pollution; Management framework; Pesticidal POPs; Pesticides - analysis; Pollution; Pollution source; Pollution, environment geology; Public Policy; Soil and water pollution; Soil science; Asia; China; China, People's Rep; Pesticidal POPs; Management framework; China; Pollution source; Agricultural chemical product; Pollution control; Pollution prevention; Pesticides; Organic chlorine compounds; Environmental management; Persistent organic pollutant; Health and environment; Organochlorine compounds; Public health; Organic compounds; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2007.04.006

China, the largest developing country in the world, has been undergoing rapid economic growth in the past two decades. Synchronously, large quantities of persistent organic chlorinated pesticides have been used in agriculture and non-agriculture areas. Accompanying with incomplete management framework, the improper use and disposal of pesticides have caused serious pollution problems. In this study, we discussed: (1) ten persistent organochlorine pesticides in terms of historical production, consumption and number of manufacturers, import and export; (2) the current management framework of pesticidal persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with respect to legal system and government administrative system; (3) the existing problems in the management of pesticidal POPs; and proposed recommendations for countermeasures. Based on the available information, it can be concluded that records on the historical production and consumption quantities of pesticidal POPs are incomplete which makes a difficulty in the management. Although China has come a long way in developing a modern legal system, the current system is still considered weak and inefficient; and many challenges are ahead. The government administrative system has also been reformed and improved, but over-lapping jurisdictions still exist and are ineffective in managing pesticidal POPs program. To address these existing problems in pesticidal POPs management, it was suggested that more investigations should be conducted to collect information on pollution sources of pesticidal POPs, to evaluate their environmental risks, to identify new alternative chemicals and to complete management framework of pesticidal POPs in China. Furthermore, the public should be encouraged to participate in managing hazardous pesticidal POPs in China, and international cooperation and communication should be established and strengthened imperatively as well.