Abstract: Theoretically and empirically， this study explores the relationship between export mix and environmental pollution. By constructing the mathematical models， it is concluded that at the initial stages of a countrys economic development， environmental pollution is likely to worsen as export mix gets optimized. By applying the data of Chinas industrial waste gas ranging from 1981 to 2010， the empirical test shows that the optimization of Chinas export mix has a positive effect on the emission of industrial waste gas. Therefore， it is not feasible to lessen Chinas environment pollution by merely optimizing its export mix.

Key words: export mix, environmental pollution, industrial waste gas