FORTY-FIVE factories were closed for seriously polluting the environment between January and July, Shenzhen’s environmental watchdog revealed yesterday.

    The cases were also transferred to police for criminal investigation, the Shenzhen Municipal Human Settlements and Environment Commission said.

    The commission imposed fines totaling 43.97 million yuan (US$7.04 million) on 900 enterprises in the first seven months of this year for discharging pollutants illegally.

    It recently launched a campaign codenamed “Action Thunderbolt,” targeting industrial pollution, excessive vehicle exhaust emissions and risky radiation leaks.

    During the campaign, the commission inspected 511 enterprises and investigated 23 of them under suspicion of breaking the environmental protection law.

    The commission said it would order the 23 enterprises to take measures to remedy their violations and will punish those who fail to pass further inspections and monitoring.

    Shenzhen Hengjin Metal Products Co. Ltd. was found to be discharging untreated sewage illegally. Shenzhen Feimei Technology Co. Ltd. was suspected of adding a high-pollutant coating workshop without government approval. The commission also revealed a list of several other companies that were found to be discharging wastewater and other pollutants without treatment.

    Commission officials said in the near future they would target small workshops, nonregistered electroplating factories and other enterprises that seriously pollute the environment.

    They also encouraged residents to tip off law enforcement officers by sending an email to jls@szhec.gov.cn or by calling 8359-4469.

    (SD News)