China's 'Zero COVID' Policy Includes PCR Testing of Fish... "5.4 Million Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions"

A citizen is undergoing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at a COVID-19 testing site in downtown Shanghai, China. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A study has revealed that greenhouse gases generated from COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests conducted in China have impacted the environment.

On the 11th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported this, citing a paper published by researchers from Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) and the University of Michigan, USA. The paper was published on June 2 in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology.

According to the paper, the researchers first tracked the entire process from manufacturing, using, to disposing of COVID-19 PCR test kits. They found that 71.3% of the greenhouse gases were emitted during the disposal process, which involves sterilization with high-temperature steam followed by incineration in a high-temperature furnace. The production and transportation of the test kits accounted for 14.5% and 13.3% of greenhouse gas emissions, respectively.

Regarding this, the researchers emphasized, "COVID-19 testing is important, but environmental impacts should not be ignored." They explained that sustainable efforts should be made by using eco-friendly and renewable materials, low-carbon transportation, and improving waste disposal methods.

They particularly focused on China, which maintains a strict zero-COVID policy. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has adhered to the zero-COVID policy, implementing regional lockdowns and conducting large-scale group PCR testing. For example, Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province has required residents to undergo PCR testing almost daily when going out since March this year.

The researchers cited the international statistics site Our World in Data (OWID), reporting that over 9 billion PCR tests were conducted in China from January 2020 to April 11 this year. This is among the highest in the world, about ten times more than the United States, which ranks second in the number of tests.

As a result, approximately 5.4 million tons of greenhouse gases were generated from COVID-19 PCR testing in China. The researchers explained, "Each PCR test conducted in China emits 612.9 grams of greenhouse gases, which is about half of the daily greenhouse gas emissions generated by electricity consumption of the Chinese population."

However, the researchers added that the environmental impact during the transportation of medical waste was excluded from the study due to the lack of specific data, so the actual environmental impact of PCR testing could be greater.

On July 21st, residents are waiting for testing at a COVID-19 nucleic acid testing site set up in downtown Shanghai, China. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, recently in China, controversy arose when PCR testing was conducted on seafood to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to SCMP, last month, authorities in Xiamen City, a coastal city in Fujian Province in southeastern China, conducted PCR tests on fishermen returning from fishing and their catches. This was reportedly due to concerns that seafood trade between local fishermen and overseas fishery operators could trigger a resurgence of COVID-19.

At that time, videos showing local health officials conducting PCR tests on seafood were repeatedly posted on social media. These officials deeply inserted swabs into the mouths of fish, while for crabs and shrimp with small mouths, they collected samples by rubbing the swabs on their bodies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.