China Admits Existence of 'Cancer Villages', View Map

Chinese authorities have admitted to the existence of so-called cancer villages as a result of rampant air and water pollution from living near factories, according to multiple media outlets.

The number of these Chinese cancer villagers could exceed 247 and spread over 27 provinces, according Investigative journalist Deng Fei, who made the research based on existing data. Fei notes that at least 197 of these cancer villages are confirmed. But recent researches, as cited by Xinhua, suggest number of cancer villages could be as high as 400.

Agence France-Presse said that China's environmental agency made the admission in a report about pollution in which authorities acknowledged the dangers humans face as a result of exposure to the  harmful chemicals,  many of which are banned in developed countries.

"Various chemicals have been detected in some rivers, lakes and inshore waters, as well as in animals and human bodies in recent years," the ministry said.

"Toxic chemicals have caused several environment emergencies linking to water andair pollution.  Drinking water crises hit many regions while 'cancer villages' and othersevere cases of health and social problems emerged in some other regions," theministry said. 

In 2009, Deng Fei, an investigative journalist, helped plotting some of the worst-hit villages on a Google map. Cancer is now China's biggest killer, with an 80% rise in mortality from the disease in the last 30 years, according to data from the Chinese Ministry for Health. 

"I do think this shows a positive development," said Ma Jun, one of China's leading environmentalists in the report. "The recognition of the existence of problems is the very first step and the precondition for us to really start solving these problems."

"Before there was always this tendency to play down or even cover up the issues. If that continues then all these problems with air, water, soil and groundwater pollution and their health impact could drag on for a long, long time."