The full extent of soil pollution is deemed a state secret, and activists who expose polluters are regularly imprisoned.
An accurate picture of soil pollution could endanger the livelihoods of farmers by encouraging consumer boycotts of food produced in contaminated areas.
Some analysts say the government refuses to release data on soil pollution in part because of fears it could unleash social instability.
The Beijing News says "hot social events" such as public concerns over soil pollution, illegal house purchases and child abuse are also spurring delegates to initiate reforms.
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.
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.
In 2006, the country's Ministry for Environmental Protection launched a nationwide soil-pollution survey, which was to have been concluded in 2010.
There was special emphasis on reducing energy consumption, improving conservation and solving the country's serious air, soil and water pollution.
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.
China, which suffers from soil, water and air pollution that is damaging public health, wants to use energy more efficiently and cut emissions.
Children generally pick up lead in soil that has been contaminated by air pollution and dumping.
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.
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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