It should be noted that China’s national water quality assessment
criteria are mostly related to bulk chemical parameters and
metals, with little emphasis on individual or classes of organic
chemicals of concern for protection of ecological and human health
(Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of
China, 1997, 2002). The proportion of drinking water supplies
deemed safe is expected to decrease if organic chemicals are
included in thewater quality assessment criteria. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) targeted by the Stockholm Convention (United
Nations Environment Programme, 2004) are suspected of causing
cancer and teratismus hermpahroditicus or known to damage
nervous system and endanger growth of normal infant and
child (Hardell et al., 2003, 2006; United National Environment
Programme, 2009). As a result, an objective assessment of the
current state of water pollution by POPs in China is needed to
provide baseline information for further regulatory efforts to
include organic pollutants in the assessment of drinking water
safety.