June in Mingzhou feels like being thrown into a steamer. At seven o'clock in the morning, the sun has not completely climbed over the low mountains to the east. There is already a lingering burning sensation in the air, mixed with the pungent smell unique to chemical plants, similar to burning rubber, and it has a slight astringency in the lungs.
Gou Zhaoxin stood at the door of the east factory area of "Mingzhou United Chemical Plant" and stretched out his hand to tug the zipper of his blue protective suit. The protective clothing was newly replaced, and the outer layer still smelled of camphor from the factory warehouse, but within ten minutes of wearing it, a large dark patch on the back was already stained by sweat. He was holding a black sampling box in his left hand and a mobile phone in his right hand. On the screen was a WeChat message sent by General Manager Lin Weidong five minutes ago: "Xiao Zhao, be sure to report the preliminary VOCs (volatile organic compounds) collection data of the east factory area to me before ten o'clock in the morning. It will be used in the special inspection meeting of the Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment in the afternoon. There can be no mistakes."
