Abandoned factories leaving a lethal legacy
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Striking a balance
Adding to the problem, according to Li, is the fact that local government leaders generally care more about economic growth, which earns them quick promotion to higher official positions, rather than environmental protection, which takes years before anyone can see results. This provides an incentive to officials to rush through projects without considering the impact on residents, Li said.
"Right now, most of the waste is buried," said Li. "However, there are cases where waste is just poured into rivers without treatment."
That is a problem that can affect generations of people, according to Luo Yongming, an expert in soil environment and pollution at the Chinese Academy of Science. He said heavy industrial waste pollutes soil for "decades, sometimes more than a century."
Li suggested that long-term plans should be put in place to ensure the industrial shift is carried out in an environmentally friendly way.
Lin Jingxing, a professor in modern ecological environment at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, told the Global Times that urban planning should be improved.
"First, we should avoid building heavy industry factories in densely populated areas," Lin said. "Second, we should treat industrial waste before throwing it out. And we need to conduct environmental assessments before constructing new buildings on old industrial sites."
However, Li said a detailed national standard on heavy industrial waste treatment has not been issued in China. "I hope the problem will get more attention from the public and there will be more discussions on how to deal with the environmental issues raised in the industrial shift," said Li. "What we need is not just a fast transit, but also a healthy one."
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