Rice Contaminated

Millions of acres of Chinese agricultural land dedicated to growing rice, and more than 12 million tons of the grain, are contaminated by metal pollution, according to government scientists. An article by Hong Kong’s English paper, South China Morning Post, reported that 10 percent of Chinese rice contained cadmium, a known cancer-causing metal. The government responded by stating it will refocus its efforts to control metal pollution. Pollution from rapid industrialization occurring in the nation’s farm areas is posing problems to China’s food safety as well as health issues. The rice contamination is estimated to cost the country $3 billion per year.