Ministry of Ecology and Environment: "Action Plan for Investigation and Rectification of Environmental Safety Hazards of Heavy Metals" Released.

On July 28, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held its regular press conference for July. The spokesperson for the Ministry, Pei Xiaofei, introduced that recently, with the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and seven other departments jointly issued the "Action Plan for the Investigation and Treatment of Hidden Environmental Hazards of Heavy Metals." The plan consists of six parts and 17 measures, aiming to complete the investigation and immediate rectification of hidden environmental hazards of heavy metals by the end of this year; by the end of 2027, to basically complete the treatment of high-risk hazards, with significant enhancement in monitoring, warning, emergency response capabilities for heavy metal environmental risks; by the end of 2030, to fully complete the treatment of hazards, effectively controlling the risks of heavy metal environmental pollution. The plan will focus on five provinces including Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong, and 21 cities such as Sanmenxia in Henan, and Qiandongnan in Guizhou. Following the work philosophy of "investigate, assess, rectify, treat, prevent, manage," a thorough investigation and treatment of hidden environmental hazards of heavy metals will be carried out.