Fujian Parents Protest New Lead Poisoning Outbreak
2009-9-17 12:11
Another outbreak of lead poisoning has been reported in China—this time in an industrial district of Fujian Province.
Radio Free Asia reports that since last Friday, parents in Jiaoyang County have gathered at a local battery factory. They say pollution from the Shanghang Huaqiang Battery Company is giving their kids lead poisoning.
The factory is located less than half a mile from local schools. Residents say lead-laden waste has polluted the area for the past four years.
So far over 150 children in Jiaoyang County have been found to have excessive lead in their blood. The Epoch Times reports that many parents have stopped sending their kids to school because they fear further contamination.
Parents are also calling on Jiaoyang authorities to shut down the factory and compensate the affected children.
According to Jiaoyang officials, work at the factory has been temporarily stopped, pending investigations. Residents told the Epoch Times, however, that waste is still being discharged from the factory.
