China released its first-ever compulsory regulation against construction-related pollution inside civil structures, along with a separate indoor environmental management rule, on March 17, Beijing Youth Daily reported.
The regulation, which takes effect on March 18, requires indoor environments in newly-built, expanded or renovated civil structures be examined for pollutants shortly after construction is completed.
It restricts levels of radon, formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) inside those structures and forbids sale of structures in which dangerous compounds exceeding limits.
Only State-approved organizations are allowed to carry out the examinations, according to the regulation.
The indoor management rule, which takes effect on March 15, includes guidelines on the surveying, design, construction and review of new buildings.
(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2002)
