To better protect and improve the living and ecological environment, a law on soil pollution was passed last August and has taken effect on Tuesday.

为了更好地保护和改善生活和生态环境，去年8月通过了一项关于防止土壤污染的法律，于本周二生效。

The law, named Soil Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People’s Republic of China, is the country’s first law targeting soil pollution.

《中华人民共和国土壤污染防治法》是我国第一部针对土壤污染的法律。

According to the law, national standards for soil pollution risk control will be set by the environmental authority of the State Council based on soil contamination status, public health risks and ecological risks, among others.

该法律规定，国务院环境主管部门将根据土壤污染状况、公共健康风险和生态风险等，制定国家土壤污染风险控制标准。

The law also states that a nationwide soil condition census should be conducted at least once every 10 years.

且规定，应至少每10年进行一次全国土壤状况普查。

Environmental and health authorities of the State Council are required to conduct screening and evaluation of toxic and harmful substances in the soil and make public a list of them.

国务院环境卫生部门应当对土壤中的有毒有害物质进行甄别、评价，并公布清单。

The central and provincial-level governments should establish funds to prevent and control soil pollution, according to the law.

中央和省级政府要依法设立防治土壤污染基金。

Environmental departments of governments at or above the provincial level should summon leading officials at or above the municipal level for admonitory talks on problems in their jurisdiction, such as serious soil pollution, inadequate prevention and control measures, and strong public discontent over pollution.

省级以上政府环境主管部门应当召集市级以上领导就其管辖范围内的土壤污染严重、防治措施不到位、公众对污染的强烈不满等问题进行警告性谈话。