Watchdog probe at battery factory
By Cai Wenjun |
May 9, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ENVIRONMENTAL watchdogs are investigating a battery manufacturer in Zhejiang Province after dozens of people in nearby area were found to have excessive levels of lead in their blood.
China News Service said yesterday that the Ministry of Environmental Protection is prioritizing its probe into Deqing Haijiu Battery Co and will release its results within days.
The plant was ordered to stop production on April 29, after employees and their children and many residents in nearby Mengxi Village were found to have excessive lead levels.
In March, locals had begun visiting nearby hospitals, complaining of symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite and weakened immune system.
Some 19 parents at Mengxi Village showed their children's health reports to China News Service.
All the children, including a five-month baby, were found to have readings exceeding what is considered the uppermost safe level, 100 micrograms of lead per liter.
One child was even found to have 400 micrograms, which is considered serious lead poisoning.
Many employees and adults at Mengxi Village were also found to have high levels of lead in their blood.
Tests on soil, water, vegetable and rice in late April by the local environmental protection bureau in Deqing detected nothing abnormal, according to the news service.
Deqing Town government is conducting checkups on all employees at the battery factory, their children and people living around the plant.
Since the factory stopped operations, employees have been given subsidies in line with the lowest wages in the town.
By Friday afternoon, 1,010 people, including 74 children, had received checkups.
Four children were sent to Deqing Town People's Hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.
The plant's officials said it will pay all the medical bills of children.
The Haijiu plant was set up in May 2003, mainly producing small lead-acid storage batteries designed for motorcycles.
It employs around 1,000 people and produces about 9 million batteries each year.
China News Service said yesterday that the Ministry of Environmental Protection is prioritizing its probe into Deqing Haijiu Battery Co and will release its results within days.
The plant was ordered to stop production on April 29, after employees and their children and many residents in nearby Mengxi Village were found to have excessive lead levels.
In March, locals had begun visiting nearby hospitals, complaining of symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite and weakened immune system.
Some 19 parents at Mengxi Village showed their children's health reports to China News Service.
All the children, including a five-month baby, were found to have readings exceeding what is considered the uppermost safe level, 100 micrograms of lead per liter.
One child was even found to have 400 micrograms, which is considered serious lead poisoning.
Many employees and adults at Mengxi Village were also found to have high levels of lead in their blood.
Tests on soil, water, vegetable and rice in late April by the local environmental protection bureau in Deqing detected nothing abnormal, according to the news service.
Deqing Town government is conducting checkups on all employees at the battery factory, their children and people living around the plant.
Since the factory stopped operations, employees have been given subsidies in line with the lowest wages in the town.
By Friday afternoon, 1,010 people, including 74 children, had received checkups.
Four children were sent to Deqing Town People's Hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.
The plant's officials said it will pay all the medical bills of children.
The Haijiu plant was set up in May 2003, mainly producing small lead-acid storage batteries designed for motorcycles.
It employs around 1,000 people and produces about 9 million batteries each year.
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