HUNDREDS OF furious Chinese parents rampaged through a lead factory yesterday after authorities blamed pollution from the plant for poisoning more than 600 children.
The protest follows a week of revelations that have grabbed headlines in a country increasingly fearful for its environmental health.
According to the Xinhua news agency, villagers tore down a 300m fence around the Dongling Lead and Zinc Smelting Company in Shaanxi province, and smashed up trucks in the compound.
At least 615 of the 731 children in two nearby villages have been diagnosed with dangerous amounts of lead in their blood. A gradual build-up of lead in the bloodstream can lead to anaemia, muscle weakness and brain damage. More than 140 children have been treated in hospital.
The authorities are being blamed in part for the incident. The risks were known when the factory started operations in 2003 but the local government was desperate for investment. It promised to rehouse nearby villagers, but after 100 were moved out in 2004 the relocation plan stalled. – ( Guardianservice)