The present review also points to the need for a nationwide
long-term monitoring program as data on water pollution by POPs
in China have remained scarce. In particular, data gaps exist for
certain analyte classes (e.g. PBDEs; PCDD/Fs; and some OCPs such
as aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, and toxaphenes)
and in large regions of the country (e.g. the entire western part of
China). In addition, spatial and temporal trends for the levels of
POPs in major river, lake, and coastal waters need to be determined
with comparable methodologies. This information will be critical to
assessing the state of POPs in China’s water resources at present
and into the future given the fast pace of the country’s economic
growth and urbanization, which has increasingly threatened the
country’s water supplies. Insufficient knowledge on water pollution
by POPs is also a likely contributor in hindering the development of
regulatory limits for effectively managing water quality and supply
in China. Apparently, ensuring a high quality and sustainable water
supply will be key to supporting continued economic growth
domestically while at the same time bolstering the contributions of
China in protecting the global environment