A Study of Heavy Metal Pollution in China: Current Status, Pollution-Control Policies and Countermeasures

Hui Hu, Qian Jin and Philip Kavan
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Hui Hu: Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
Qian Jin: School of Tourism and Human Geography, Xi'an International Studies University, Xi'an 710128, China
Philip Kavan: Faculty of Education, Science, Technology & Maths, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT 2601, Australia

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: In the past 30 years, China’s economy has experienced rapid development, which led to a vast increase in energy consumption and serious environmental pollution. Among the different types of pollution, heavy metal pollution has become one of the major environmental issues in China. A number of studies show that high level of heavy metal exposure is a frequent cause of permanent intellectual and developmental disabilities. In recent years, some traditional pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, have been put under control in China. However, heavy metal pollution, which poses even greater risks to public health and sustainable development, has yet to gain policymakers’ attention. The purpose of this paper is to explore effective countermeasures for heavy metal pollution in China. The present study reviews the current status of China’s heavy metal pollution and analyzes related public policies and countermeasures against that pollution. It also presents a few recommendations and measures for prevention of heavy metal pollution.

Keywords: heavy metal pollution; waste gas; waste water; solid wastes; pollution control; public policy; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (28)

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