Grey, gloomy skies. Poor visibility. In the early 2000s, air pollution in China reached an all-time high due to factors such as rapid industrialisation, heavy coal use and lax regulations. The severe smog led to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year.
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China’s war on pollution
But then, in 2013, China declared “war on pollution”. The Asian superpower launched a vast industrial policy aimed at shifting to renewable energy and electric vehicles in various sectors across the economy. After 10 years, “particulate pollution” had declined by 41% and the average life expectancy had gone up by two years. The campaign was a success.
The country now faces another pollution crisis — “forever chemicals” that build up in the environment and cause serious health effects on its citizens.
The question is: Will Chinese leaders now target PFAS as the next step in their war on pollution? Although Chinese authorities have not announced any national campaign targeting PFAS, there are some recent developments that point in this direction.
PFAS-contaminated land
China accounts for roughly half of the global PFAS market, with manufacturers such as Shanghai 3F, Dongyue Group and Juhua. So, it’s no surprise that a new global study looking into PFAS contamination from fluoropolymer plants found that over half of the world’s population living near such facilities is located in China. The production site in Huantai County was, for example, found to have the most contaminated surface waters, with PFAS concentrations well above those measured near the Chemours facility in Fayetteville.
But pollution hotspots are not the only problem. In fact, researchers have found PFAS-contaminated soil across the whole country, including agricultural soils used for growing vegetables and fruit.
Extensive biomonitoring
This is not news to Chinese policymakers and scientists. For years, they have been conducting more biomonitoring studies than anywhere else in the world. The aim is to measure PFAS levels among their citizens. One global review of biomonitoring studies found that most were conducted in China, with a majority studying infertility, pregnancy, and mothers.
The fertility focus is likely due to the country’s ageing population and shrinking workforce. These are considered to be one of the country’s primary challenges. Since PFAS are closely linked to fertility issues, avoiding PFAS becomes particularly important for a country facing a demographic crisis.
“China still lags behind Europe, but is clearly moving toward a more protective framework”
New regulations
Chinese lawmakers have previously taken a hands-off approach to environmental regulation, including chemicals management. However, in late 2022, the ruling party made it clear that economic growth would no longer be the sole priority. Environmental quality would also be prioritised.
Last year, China implemented its first wastewater standards for two PFAS substances (PFOA and PFOS). The country also recently published list of upcoming chemical restrictions included more than 20 new PFAS substances.
And just a couple of weeks ago, China passed a first-of-its-kind hazardous chemicals safety law, which will enter into force in May this year. The law significantly tightens regulations on hazardous chemicals throughout their lifecycle.
China still lags far behind Europe in regulating hazardous chemicals, but it is clearly moving toward a more protective framework.
Development of safer alternatives
China is commonly known as “the factory of the world”. Today, it is also increasingly becoming “the world’s laboratory”, developing everything from pharmaceuticals to industrial chemicals. In fact, China accounts for a third of global chemical research and innovation spending, almost half of all chemical sales, and currently spends twice as much on chemical capital investments as North America and Europe combined.
While research into the geographic distribution of PFAS-free alternatives remains scarce, one analysis found that China has “emerged as a dominant force in the patent realm of PFAS substitution”. The country not only holds the most patents but also leads the patenting of new PFAS alternatives.
What would a Chinese war against PFAS mean?
In summary, PFAS contamination in China is increasing, the country has demographic incentives to address the issue, Chinese leaders are setting up regulatory tools to limit hazardous chemicals, and the country has the institutional capacity to develop alternatives on scale (and is already doing so).
If these circumstances are in fact signs that PFAS will be China’s next pollution target, then the question is: What implications would this have on the global efforts against PFAS?
