New standards for soil pollution released

China has upgraded its national safety standards for soil for the first time since 1995, reports Legal Daily. The new standards differentiate between agricultural and construction land, with the former focussing on the safety of edible agricultural products, and screening for levels of cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead and chromium in the soil. For construction land, the standards address the health of those working in construction and in close proximity to the soil. They also consider the long-term consequences of exposure to toxins and carcinogens.