The convergence of toxic waste and agriculture has resulted in a soil contamination crisis in China—nearly one-fifth of China’s farmland is polluted.  For example, in Hunan Province, a center of non-ferrous metal mining, it is estimated that 10% of the rice is contaminated with cadmium, a carcinogenic chemical.

At this meeting Isabel Hilton (chinadialogue) will draw on new chinadialogue reporting on the causes and impacts of soil pollution in Hunan and other provinces. She will also highlight some of the researchers and NGOs investigating and promoting transparency on soil pollution. Qing Wang (World Bank) will discuss new World Bank projects that focus on soil clean-up of industrial sites across China and helping industrial parks better manage their waste.