Health Impacts of Environmental Pollution in China: Social and Policy Dimensions

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1 Health Impacts of Environmental Pollution in China: Social and Policy Dimensions Lin Gan CICERO Seminar August 16, 2006

2 The Development and Environment Challenge GDP grows by 10.4%/y, some regions excess 14% Environmental protection objectives for 10th Five-Year Plan were not realized Energy consumption increases faster than GDP Western regions are far more energy inefficient than coast regions (2-3 times) Climate change has seen its impact, e.g. droughts, floods, hurricanes, which led to hundred-billion Yuan of losses and damages

3 Drought in Sichuan Province

4 Environment Issues in Development Process Growth in GDP has dominated government thinking and policy Western regions are poor and resourcebased, and technology-outdated Power and energy intensive industries are key sectors in regional/local economy Environmental and eco-system damages are serious in western regions Health impact from pollution is high

5 Major Industries in Western China Coal-fired power plants Coking Coal chemical Petrochemical Metal smelting Iron and steelmaking Cement Aluminum Mining (coal, iron, copper, lead, zinc, oil/gas)

6 Impacts of Industrial Pollution Air Water Solid waste Climate change

7 Major Industrial Emissions Global effects: CO2, mercury Regional/local effects: SO2, NOx, PM, COD, Fluoride, mercury

8 Affected Areas Agriculture land Urban and rural environment Eco-systems Human health Damage to buildings and infrastructure Global warming

9 Pollution to Agriculture Land Previous agriculture land Now only wild grass can grow Fluorine (FI) pollution, e.g. sheep teeth lost in Baiyin, Gansu

10 Effects to teeth and bones Common in China due to air and water pollution More than 45 million people affected Once affected, it remains for life Dental Fluorosis

11 Major Health Effects

12 Heavily Polluted Provinces Power and coking industries in Shanxi Copper smelting and petrochemical in Gansu Zinc and mercury production in Guizhou Fluoride and arsenic poisoning in Guizhou

13 Most Polluted City in the World: Linfen, Shanxi Province Urban lives are affected and people live in heavy smoke exposure and dark skies Cancer and respiratory abnormal rates are high

14 Coal as Major Energy Resource Local people and industries depend heavily on coal production and consumption as the main source of income and economic growth engine

15 Coking Industry in Linfen, Shanxi 60% of the coke production in China A major polluter Low energy efficiency and high pollution Harsh working environment

16 Traditional Coking Industry Driven by high demand Low cost and efficiency High pollution Easy to operate and it is a traditional industry Price is competitive due to low cost It is recently inactive due to price falls and stricter government regulations

17 Copper Smelting in Gansu Once the largest copper mine, but resources are depleted Driven by high copper prices Technologies are outdated Severe air and water pollution Occupation health Impact to local environment

18 Open Copper Mine First exploration in 14th century Large-scale exploration Started in 1956 and closed in 1984

19 Copper Products Driven by high demand and prices

20 Copper Smelting Technology German technology from the 1930s Key Soviet assisted project from early 1950s Need to be updated, but lack of finance

21 Solid Waste Pollution Copper resources depleted and waste remain Pollution to local water and soil systems Can it be re-utilized?

22 Zinc Smelting in Guizhou Local resources once available, but now depleted Local economy Indigenous technology and tradition Low cost in production and high price for products High pollution and health impact

23 Traditional Technology as Livelihood Farmers don t have other options to make a living, but their health are affected

24 Miao in Guizhou Suoga village, the first ecological museum in Asia Norway-China culture exchange program Preservation of traditional culture

25 Traditional lifestyle

26 Indoor Air Pollution: Guizhou Household use of coal for cooking, heating and drying of agriculture products Open stove use as local culture and tradition Problems found from early 1980s Preventive measures are undertaken from recent years

27 Health Effects of Fluoride Poison Thyroid gland Kidneys Brain and nervous system Immune system 1/30 people, or 45 million, in China are affected

28 Fluorosis: Guizhou Case More than half of the population (19 million) in western Guizhou are affected through use of coal at home

29 Arsenic poison in Guizhou Concentrated in Southwestern region Household coal use related Due to local resource, climate, economic situation and tradition

30 Protecting Children: Future of the Younger Generation Children are most affected in their health conditions It is a life-long impact to them

31 Social Issues in Development Process Poor regions and communities are mostly affected by pollution Injustice and local conflicts increased due to pollution problems Local residents affected in living conditions and health Social security policies are not in place Existing policy measures are not effective to deal with the problem, e.g. install chimney for open stoves, and finance limited

32 Key Issues for Policymaking Put social development a high priority Provide support to local economic development and adjustment to use alternative technologies and products Social equity and justice important: effective law implementation Reduce pollution from their sources and from production processes Compensations needed to cover the healthcare and medical costs for the poor and affected communities Global and local environment protection should go hand in hand

33 Use of Alternative Technologies Biomass stoves Biogas Small Hydro Solar stoves Improve housing condition and reduce the need for space heating Drying technology for corn and chili pepper preservation

34 Needs for Further Research Economic valuation of pollution losses Health care costs for affected people Alternative technologies and livelihood How to make a balance between global and local environmental protection How and by what means to make social development a high priority in a developing countries like China?

35 Thanks for your Attention!