China plans to classify 18 chemicals as toxic and hazardous soil pollutants

On September 8, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) initiated a public consultation regarding the Draft List of Priority-Controlled Toxic and Hazardous Soil Pollutants (1st Batch). This list comprises 18 types of chemicals (outlined in the table below), all of which are also found on the lists of toxic and hazardous water pollutants (1st Batch and Draft of the 2nd Batch), making them subject to priority control measures. Input and feedback on this draft are encouraged and will be accepted until September 25, 2023.

Chemicals included in the Draft List:

1. Cadmium and cadmium compounds
2. Chromium and chromium compounds
3. Mercury and mercury compounds
4. Lead and lead compounds
5. Arsenic and arsenic compounds
6. 1,1-Dichloroethylene
7. 1,2-Dichloropropane
8. 2,4-Dinitrotoluene
9. Benzene
10. Benzo[a]pyrene
11. Benzo[b]fluoranthene
12. Benzo[k]fluoranthene
13. Dichloromethane
14. Toluene
15. Cyanide
16. Trichloromethane
17. Trichloroethylene
18. Tetrachloroethylene