For cadmium to be evident in rice grains as well, the soil in which it was grown must have been especially highly polluted, said Jonathan Wong, a Hong Kong biology professor who has studied mainland soil pollution extensively.

WSJ: Cadmium-Tainted Rice Found in Guangzhou

For cadmium to be evident in rice grains as well, the soil in which it was grown must have been especially highly polluted, said Jonathan Wong, a Hong Kong biology professor who has studied soil pollution extensively on the mainland.

WSJ: Cadmium-Tainted Rice Found in Guangzhou

In 2006, the country's Ministry for Environmental Protection launched a nationwide soil-pollution survey, which was to have been concluded in 2010.

WSJ: Cadmium-Tainted Rice Found in Guangzhou

There was special emphasis on reducing energy consumption, improving conservation and solving the country's serious air, soil and water pollution.

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Water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation and desertification in the north, where rivers are drying up, have contributed to an estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949.

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Children generally pick up lead in soil that has been contaminated by air pollution and dumping.

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The pollution is caused by trichloroethylene venting up through the soil.

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But the government is becoming increasingly concerned about the problems that pollution brings, such as sickness from filthy air and arid soil from acid rain, which has made it keen to boost the use of renewables and increase energy efficiency.

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However in the case of Neal Soil Suppliers - where dairy and food effluent was spread over a field - there had been "substantial and serious pollution".

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