China to implement pollutant treaty
Beijing, China, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- China says it will begin to implement the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to rid itself of highly dangerous pesticides.
"China will take every necessary measure to fully implement the convention, as it is beneficial not only to the sustainable development of China, but also to that of the world," said Environment Vice Minister Wang Jirong.
He said the task is immense and difficult, since China is also fighting other environmental problems, such as water pollution, acid rain and urban air pollution, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Of all the pollutants released into the environment every year by human activity, POPs are among the most dangerous. They are highly toxic, causing an array of adverse effects, notably death, disease, and birth defects, among humans and animals.
The convention was approved in 2001 in Stockholm and has been signed by 151 countries and ratified by 83 countries, including China.http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041110-091939-6513r.htm |
