With the global financial crisis taking its toll on Shanxi, the province is facing threats of increased environmental accidents and a deteriorating ecological environment, warned Liu Xiangdong, director of the provincial environmental protection bureau.

Many energy- and resource-intensive enterprises in Shanxi Province, such as paper making and iron industries, have either stopped or reduced production due to the economic downturn, according to Liu, which may contribute to a drop in pollution emissions.

However, this could also result in increased pollution intensity as enterprises could also suspend the operation of pollution-treatment facilities, such as sulphur dioxide scrubbers, to reduce costs, Liu warned.

The irregular operation of the pollution-treatment facilities, as a result of reduced production, will also make it more difficult for environmental watchdogs to closely monitor pollution emissions, Liu said.

(China Daily December 1, 2008)