Research Paper MEE5801

KEY CHANGES TO THE
MINISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION OF THE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA
4/2/2014
MEE5801
Comparisons based on the current United States Environmental

Key Changes to the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China
Page 1
Protection Agency and the Chinese Environmental Protection
Agency.

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Key Changes to the Ministry
of Environmental Protection
of the People’s Republic of
China
M E E 5 8 0 1
I. Introduction
China has experienced a tremendous amount of growth with becoming the world’s largest
industrial producer (Ross, 2013, p. 1). China has surpassed the United States in industrial
production in 2011 (Ross, 2013, p. 1). China is experiencing a large industrial growth which
brings the problem of having enough people to do the work (FlorCruz, 2012, p. 1). China has
a system of urban dwellers and rural dwellers (FlorCruz, 2012, p. 1-3). The rural dwellers
have started to move into the large cities in order to get work and make more money than can
be made farming (FlorCruz, 2012, p. 1-3).
The United States reached a turning point environmentally in 1969 when the Cuyahoga River
in Ohio caught fire because of the pollutants in the river (The Economist, 2013, p. 1). Japan
reached a turning point environmentally in the 1970s when the Bay of Minamata was filled
with poisonous Mercury by a plastics factory (The Economist, 2013, p. 1). The incident
started in the 1930s, Chisso Corporation begin to manufacture Acetaldehyde to make plastic

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(Allchin, 1999, p. 1). Initially it was not known the Acetaldehyde would kill people when
put into the water of the bay (Allchin, 1999, p. 1). Chisso Company did studies and found the
problem however, it was kept quiet at first, and later the company was fined and made to
make restitution to the residents (Allchin, 1999, p. 1-8).
Beijing is experiencing a large amount of smog from the pollution of coal fired power plants
and automobiles (The Economist, 2013, p. 1). Before the 2008 Olympic games Beijing
relocated the smelliest industries to surrounding providences before the people started to
arrive for the games in order to cleanup and look nice for the World (The Economist, 2013, p.
1). The issues with smog is bringing change to China in that China now sees it must have
environmental protection for the country (The Economist, 2013, p. 1-10).
I. Environmental Programs
A. Air
The population of China was warned to stay in inside in the middle of January in 2013 due to
the air quality (NASA, 2013, p. 1). The Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s
Republic of China ordered the factories to limit emissions (NASA, 2013, p. 1). The hospitals
of China had spikes of patients coming in complaining of respiratory issues in the 20 to 30
percent of the population (NASA, 2013, p. 1). The U.S. Embassy in Beijing on January 14,
2013 had a PM 2.5 measurement of 291 micrograms per cubic meter of air PM2.5
measurements (NASA, 2013, p. 1). The current Beijing Air Pollution Real Time Air Quality
Index on April 14, 2014 is PM 2.5 of 151 micrograms per cubic meter; Nanjing had a PM 2.5
measurement of 183 micrograms per cubic meter (World Air Quality, 2014, p. 1).
The air quality will be monitored by the environmental offices to ensure the quality of air for
the agricultural, husbandry, fishing, and population of people in the country (Ministry of

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Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008, p. 4.2). Air Pollution
index will be setup and the guidelines set up by the United Nations will be used for the safety
of the people (Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008,
p. 4.2).
B. Rivers
The Hubei Province in China reported poisoned about 110 ton of poisoned fish in the Fuhe
River (Mullen, 2013, p. xx). The fish was poisoned due to 196 milligrams per liter of
ammonia was discharged by a chemical plant in Yingcheng (Mullen, 2013, p. 1). The World
Health Organization has a standard for the groundwater for ammonia to be 0.2 milligrams per
liter and surface water to have 12 milligrams per liter of ammonia in a standard fashion that
would not cause harm (Mullen, 2013, p. 1). Hubei Shuanghuan Science and Technology
Stock Company was ordered to suspend operations and fix the pollution controls before
operations could begin again (Mullen, 2013, p. 1). The mixture of domestic sewage waste
and untreated waste from the company and paper mill caused the problems in the Fuhe River
(Mullen, 2013, p. 2).
China will monitor the river to ensure the fishing in the area is safe for the people of the area
(Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008, p. 4.2).
China will setup a state environmental and health information share and service system by
using the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environmental Program
(Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008, p. 4.4).
C. Groundwater

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The Ministry of Land and Resources in China announced on April 20, 2013 60% of the
monitoring sites have measured as poor in 198 cities (Yiwei, 2013, p. xx). Cities in China on
average of 60% rely on groundwater for the demands of water supply (Yiwei, 2013, p. xx).
China will investigate and find the pollutant sources in order to control and prevent further
pollution (Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008, p.
4.5).
Groundwater is contaminated by landfills in China due to no prevention methods are used to
prevent ground and water contamination (Yiwei, 2013, p. xx). Factories dig pits and dispose
of waste where pollution can seep into the water supply (Yiwei, 2013, p. xx).
D. Wastewater
In 1998, examples of wastewater pollution in China are the cities of Tianjin, Chao Lakes and
Xian City. The third largest industrial city in China is the City of Tianjin which has the
problems of domestic and industrial wastewater pollution. Chao Lake 300 miles east of
Shanghai is one of China’s largest freshwater lakes had been affected with wastewater
pollution. China has started a project of collection and treatment of the water supply (Min,
1998).
In 2013, China municipal wastewater has continued to have problems (Bharat Book Bureau,
2013). China is at an average of 8-9% of water reclamation while the average for a developed
country is 70% (Bharat Book Bureau, 2013). China continues to have untreated sludge which
is causing environmental pollution (Bharat Book Bureau, 2013). The wastewater treatment
technology in China has just reached the beginning stages of operation (Bharat Book Bureau,
2013). The twelfth five plans are working to improve water quality in the key rivers and lakes
throughout the country (Global Water Intelligence, 2012).

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China has developed a tap water plant and sewage treatment plant. Domestic Sewage
includes household, public places, and hospital areas. China has five large wastewater
irrigation areas to include Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Fushun, Shanxi, and Xinjiang Shihezi
(ZHANG, PhD, 2011, p. 13).
Siemens Energy is supplying a wastewater treatment facility to a refinery in Jiujiang in order
to treat the oily wastewater from the refinery using powered activated carbon (Eckert, 2014).
E. Drinking Water
China is currently formulating a set of plans and standards to improve the drinking water
system. A supervision network will be built and implemented to monitor the quality of the
drinking water, pollutant levels, developmental trends, and monitoring stations (Ministry of
Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008).
F. Soils
The soil in China is contaminated with heavy metals causing the food supply to become
polluted. The Chinese Government is making a detailed map of the areas where there is soil
contaminated with heavy metals. The Central China’s Hunan Province has had a high
amount of cadmium in rice (China Daily, 2013).
Soil acidification has been found in rural areas from the overuse of nitrogen and phosphate
fertilizers. Soil contaminated with heavy metals on average takes 1000 years to disappear
unless treated (China Daily, 2013).
The soil of the ground will be monitored for the safety of the people. Stations will be setup
to ensure dumping is not done and the soil is safe for use (Ministry of Environmental
Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2008).

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China’s farmland is polluted with heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, pesticides and others
toxins. Eight million acres of China farmland is too polluted to be used for farming by the
estimates of the Ministry of Land and Resources. Scientists have said the estimates given
by the Ministry of Land and Resources are wrong and as much as sixty million acres of the
337 million acres of arable land is contaminated. A key concern for farmers is cadmium a
carcinogenic metal which can cause kidney damage and is absorbed by rice (The Associated
Press, 2013).
G. Solid Waste
China generates 250 million tons of municipal solid waste a year. China has 155
incineration facilities in operation currently with an expected 300 facilities to be online by
2015 (Vanacore, 2014).
H. Regulations
China is currently busy with using the resources of the World Health Organization and the
United Nations Environmental Protection in order to develop and implement sound
environment policies and regulations (Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's
Republic of China, 2008).
I. Enforcement
China is working on fees for discharge of pollution, waste dumping, and sea pollution to just
a few (Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, 2014).
II. Key changes to the Chinese Environmental Regulations
A. Energy Conservation

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China is investing $375 billion to save energy and for emission reduction projects in the
next five years thru 2015. The plan is being used in order to clean up the environment. The
council has further invested $298 billion in renewable energy. China has further stated the
plan to raise non-fossil energy consumption to 15%. China will further make energy tariffs
to companies that have high energy consumption (Wong, Lian, & Pullin, 2013).
B. Pollution
In 1982, China enacted a Pollution Discharge Fee based on the amount of pollution
discharged from a company. The company will further have to compensate for damages
based on the amount of pollution discharged (Ministry of Environmental Protection of the
People's Republic of China, 1982).
C. Transportation
China is working to fix the transportation issues currently happening. China is developing
railways and urban rail traffic in order to prevent the air pollution cars make. China is
constructing highways to make it easier to get around. Coastal ports and inland water
transport for transportation of oil, coal, and iron ore. New airports are being constructed in
China for easier transport (China Direct, 2011).
D. Land Development
China is working to enhance the way land is being developed to protect farmers and homes
of the people living in China. A regional policy is being implemented as to what can be
built where in the country (China Direct, 2011).
III. Development of Programs and Regulatory Requirements
A. General Provisions

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China has taken a stand to regulate how chemicals are manufactured, stored, used, operated
with, and marketed by the companies operating in China. Regulations are in place to handle
the disposal of the chemicals by the toxicity of the chemical in question. Employees shall be
trained on the safe use and transport of any and all chemicals. A chemical banned by the
state shall not be used . China has authorized the necessary organizations to enter a
workplace for inspections on site. When risks are found by the state the company is required
to be shut down until the necessary precautions are put into place to make the workplace
safe (State Council of China, 2011).
B. Safety Management of Manufacture and Storage
A company must plan for emergency spills and contamination. Planning is implemented for
the manufacturing and storage of hazardous chemicals. Emergency Action Plans are
required to be made in case of urban and rural planning. Construction projects must be
planned and worked in a safe environment. Safety data sheets for chemicals must be on
hand and consistent with the chemicals being produced. An industrial license must be
applied for and received before production has been started for hazardous chemicals. Safety
facilities must be setup for hazardous chemicals based on the hazards of the chemical in
question (State Council of China, 2011).
C. Safety Management of Use
The technical process of the hazard chemicals shall meet the requirements of the laws.
Training is required to be done for all employees and the state notified of the hazardous
chemicals on the premises. A quantity limit is set by the state for all hazardous chemicals.

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Professional technical personnel must work at any facility working with hazardous
chemicals (State Council of China, 2011).
D. Safety Management of Operation and Marketing
The state has a license system that is required for the operation and marketing of hazardous
chemicals, without the license the manufacture is not allowed to work with the chemical.
Professional training is required, a full-time safety and health personnel must be on staff,
safety controls must be in working order, and emergency rescue plans are required (State
Council of China, 2011).
E. Safety Management of Transportation
A hazardous chemical cannot be transported by road or water without a permit from the
state. Safety rules must be in place for the proper transport of any hazardous chemical.
Training must be done for all employees involve. Vehicles transporting hazardous chemicals
must only do so on approved roads. Hazardous chemicals lost, stolen, drained, or leaked
must have the proper authorities notified immediately. Ships carrying hazardous chemicals
must be properly flagged with the correct permits and licenses (State Council of China,
2011).
F. Hazardous Chemical Registration and Emergency Response
The state has a system for chemical registration which provides technical information and
support for emergency management systems. The hazardous chemicals must be registered
with the National Chemical Registration Centre of State Administration of Work Safety.
When the information for a chemical is being submitted the following information is
required: Classification and labeling information, physical and chemical properties, major

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applications, hazard properties, safety requirements on storage, usage, and transportation,
and emergency response measures in case of an accident (State Council of China, 2011).
G. Legal Liabilities
A company failing to adhere to laws set forth shall be fined from 200,000 to 500,000 RMB.
A company will also be required to give up any earnings made from the time of the illegal
activities. A company based on the liabilities and illegal activities against the state can be
fined in other ways and more money damages based on the offense (State Council of China,
2011).
IV. The United States Environmental Protection Agency versus the Ministry of Environmental
Protection Agency of the People’s Republic of China
A. 2008 Olympics in Beijing
In 2008, hundreds of factories were shut down or forced to operate below capacity by the
government in order to cut down on the amount of pollution without government
compensation. The plants were shut down for two months and some steel producers were
relocated to other areas. The price of coal which is used to power some factories was raised
due to the shortage of coal from lack of production (Asia News, 2008).
B. Occupational Safety and Health Professionals in China
The Chinese Government has set a standard to achieve environmental protection,
occupational safety and health, and energy use protections for the country the problem
however is a trained person. The government has setup academies to teach the skills needed
(ISC China, 1999).
C. Environmental, Safety and Health in the United States

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The United States has made Occupational Health and Safety Training available to anyone
that is willing and able to go to college. The typical education level for a Occupational Safety
and Health Specialist is a Bachelor Degree from an accredited university (United States
Department of Labor, 2014).
V. Conclusion
Based on the information found the United States would be a better choice to keep the
company located due to the pollution in China. Poisoned lakes, polluted skies, and
environmental issues make China a very bad choice for the pharmaceutical company (W5
Staff, 2014).
References
China Direct (2011, May 11). China's Twelfth Five Year Plan (2011-2015) - the Full English
Version - China Direct. Retrieved from http://cbi.typepad.com/china_direct/2011/05/chinas-
twelfth-five-new-plan-the-full-english-version.html
United States Department of Labor (2014, April 14). Occupational Health and Safety Specialists :
Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-health-and-safety-specialists.htm
Ross, J. (2013, August 27). China's new industrial revolution - China.org.cn. Retrieved from
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2013-08/27/content_29838533_2.htm

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FlorCruz, J. A. (2012, January 20). China's urban explosion: A 21st century challenge - CNN.com.
Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/20/world/asia/china-florcruz-urban-growth/
The Economist (2013, August 10). China and the environment: The East is grey | The Economist.
Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/21583245/print
Allchin, D. (1999, November 3). The Poisoning of Minamata. Retrieved from
http://www1.umn.edu/ships/ethics/minamata.htm
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poisons-lakes-rivers-and-skies-1.1773352
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on Environment and Health (2007-2015). Retrieved from
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ZHANG, PhD, K. (2011, March). Wastewater Production, Treatment, and Use in China. Retrieved from
http://www.ais.unwater.org/ais/pluginfile.php/501/mod_page/content/83/Presentation-China.pdf
Vanacore, T. S. (2014, April 13). Snapshot: China's Waste Challenge | Wilson Center. Retrieved from
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/snapshot-chinas-waste-challenge
Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China (2014, April 13). Policies and
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pollution: paper| Reuters. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/31/us-china-
renewables-idUSBRE96U01S20130731

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down-to-reduce-smog-12830.html

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