Society

Officials punished for 'lead in blood' scandal

By Zhao Chunzhe (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-22 17:01

11 officials have been found guilty in the lead poisoning scandal which left 615 children suffering, people.com.cn reported today.

A six- year-old girl named Miao Fan was the first child found with lead in her blood following the health crisis in Changqing town, Fengxiang county in Shaanxi province. "My daughter complained about her stomach ache since March. At first we thought she was trying to avoid school," said Miao Jianke. She added: "After she was sent back home from school for sickness on March 15, we took her to the hospital and found my daughter got lead poisoned gastritis. "

"I never heard of that before and I suggest my friends nearby have their children be checked too." More kids were found to have the disease.

The only suspected lead-leaking source was cited as the Dongling Smelting Factory near the village. The local government plans to relocate villagers nearby the factory in the coming two years.

A total of 11 officials in Fengxiang county government and environmental department were reprimanded for not being competent of environmental protection and relocating villagers in time. The manager of the factory resigned.