That is because the tradition of setting off firecrackers during this time of the year causes a large amount of noise, air and ground pollution.

BBC: Taipei residents urged to use CDs not firecrackers

They also argued over-use of the company's weedkiller Roundup, the chemical treatment the alfalfa is modified to be resistant to, could cause pollution of ground water and lead to resistant "super-weeds".

BBC: Monsanto GM seed ban is overturned by US Supreme Court

Our opening story for the fall takes a look at how emerging Asia is dealing--or not--with its pollution problems, especially at ground level.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Over its lifetime, the Civic will emit less pollution than is produced by spilling a teaspoon of gasoline on the ground.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But the traffic increase has slowed progress in reducing emissions further, and people in many areas still suffer from nitrogen-related air pollution, including small particulates that get sucked deep into the lungs, and ground-level ozone - a strongly irritant gas formed by the action of sunlight on reactive nitrogen.

BBC: Nitrogen pollution 'costs EU up to ?280bn a year'