Villagers blame factory for lead poisoning

DEQING, Zhejiang - Dozens of people living near a factory that makes batteries for motorcycles in Zhejiang province have been found to have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood, according to medical tests carried out since March.

A spokesman for Deqing county's information office confirmed that the people were from the Xinshi town area.

Zhejiang Haijiu Battery Co Ltd has been ordered to suspend its operations and the county government sent an investigation team to the company on Thursday to probe the lead poisoning, the spokesman said.