The Qiantang River is the biggest river in Zhejiang Province, and flows into Hangzhou Bay, and ultimately the East China Sea. According to a recent report on China’s oceans, Hangzhou Bay is one of the most polluted coastal areas in China, though there is no specific information on hazardous chemicals. The East China Sea is reported as being polluted with persistent toxic chemicals, the major source of which is industrial discharge. The situation prompted Greenpeace to investigate potential sources of pollution of hazardous chemicals in Hangzhou Bay.