BEIJING - The Chinese government has pledged to cut dioxin emissions by 10 percent in key industries such as the steel industry and waste incineration in the next five years.

All enterprises in the key industries should have installed efficient dust removal devices on their exhaust systems by the end of June 2011, according to a circular published on the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection Tuesday.

The circular was jointly issued by nine ministry-level agencies including the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance and National Development and Reform Commission.

The dioxin reducing measures were also part of China's efforts to implement the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which became effective for China as of 2004, the circular said.

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The circular said China has over 10,000 enterprises, in 17 key industries, discharged dioxin emissions.

Enterprises discharging dioxin should conduct dioxin emission inspections at least once a year and report the result to the local environmental protection authorities, the circular said.

Environmental authorities should make comprehensive appraisals on the measures and effects of dioxin emission cutting, and establish a long-term plan for dioxin prevention and control, the circular said.

Dioxin, which is extremely poisonous, is discharged by the chemical industry, steel industry, paper-making industry, pesticide enterprises and garbage incineration, among others. It can affect people's immune systems and cause cancer.