China is the largest developing country in the world. Their economy has continued to grow 10% each year over the past 20 years. Although China has achieved economic growth and development, the environment is deteriorating. The country struggles with outdoor and indoor air pollution, water shortages and pollution. These environment issues have become more pronounced recently and are putting Chinese residents at significant health risks.
The greatest challenge among cities in China is outdoor air pollution. The source of air pollution has slowly shifted from conventional coal combustion to a mixture of coal combustion and motor vehicle emissions. China’s current air pollution is compared to developed countries in the 1960s. Studies have documented that the health effects of China’s outdoor air pollution could lead to increased respiratory symptoms, hospitalization, and premature death. The World Health Organization estimated that outdoor air pollution was associated with approximately 300,000 premature deaths per year.
Many people in rural areas of China still use coal and biomass fuels in their stoves that produce substantial indoor air pollution. Lung cancer, acute respiratory infection, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are all potential health effects caused by solid fuels. The World Health Organization estimated that solid fuels used in Chinese households cause approximately 420,000 premature deaths each year.
Another serious health concern in China is water pollution, specifically in rural areas. The water in 2008 received the worst grade in the Chinese National Standard for Water Quality. The water couldn’t even be used for agricultural irrigation. Data from the 2003 National Health Services Survey indicates that two-thirds of people in rural China do not have access to piped water. Leaving contaminated drinking water, which has been associated with increasing rates of digestive cancers and infectious diseases.
In addition, climate change in China is an important health problem. China compared to other countries is very susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. The Chinese government has paid attention to climate change, but have not paid attention to its health impact. China also deals with about 70% of the world’s electronic waste, which is a substantial risk to human health and the environment.
Resource:
Kan, Haidong. “Environment and Health in China: Challenges and Opportunities.” Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Dec. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2799473/.