Mercury poisoning hits 152

A total of 152 factory workers in Guangdong province are suffering from suspected mercury poisoning, medical tests have shown.

The workers were employed by Foshan Electrical and Lighting Co Ltd in the manufacturing city of Foshan, said Yu Zhouhong, deputy head of Gaoming district, where the company is located.

The workers are on paid leave while they undergo further testing at the Guangdong Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Yu said.