Damage and Heavy Metal Pollution in China's Farmland: Reality and Solutions

Abstract

The soil pollution of the farmland in China has gradually entered into a serious state. The Chinese government released an outline of national soil pollution investigation in 2014. According to this investigation, metal contamination is especially worrisome. The cadmium pollution in a rice crop district, arsenic pollution, and lead pollution are particularly severe. Soil pollution has induced the farmer's serious health impairment in various places, and the condition similar to Itai-itai disease has occurred among them. In this study, I conducted a field survey over this problem in a certain farm village in China. There, the central government, the local government, and a research institution were tackling restoration of soil pollution. Transferring the restoration technology of the soil pollution of Japan's rich experience to China and tackling cooperation of refurbishing operation are expected in the foreseeable future.

Keywords:

• Soil pollution
• cadmium
• arsenic
• lead
• Itai-itai disease
• contamination remediation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Goro Takahashi

Goro TAKAHASHI is Professor of Faculty of Modern Chinese Studies and Director of International Center for Chinese Studies at Aichi University. Japan. He received his doctor's degree in agriculture from Chiba University. His major research area includes Chinese agricultural economy and food safety issues. His major publication in Japan include Fundamental Changes in the Chinese Society and Transformation of Japan and China relations (Tokyo, 2014), Japan and China of Food Contamination (2014), The era of new World Food crisis-The strategy of China and Japan,(2011), Chinese Agriculture with miserable farmer, soil, and water (2009).