Hunan plant shut down as probe into lead poisoning of children begins
A chemical plant in central China's Hunan province was shut down on Sunday on suspicion of being linked to the lead poisoning of more than 300 local children, following a report on Saturday about blood-test results.
The chemical plant, Meilun Chemical Materials Limited Co, which is suspected of discharging untreated water and waste, has been shut down, including the turning off of electricity and disassembling of manufacturing equipment, according to a news release on Sunday from the Hengdong county government. Additionally, the county's public security bureau has launched an investigation of the plant, according to the news release.
A report by China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday said that blood tests on more than 300 children in Dapu township of Hengdong county found excessive levels of lead since 2012, indicating heavy metal poisoning.
