Low standards to blame for toxic playgrounds

THE ALLEGEDLY TOXIC PLAYGROUND of No. 2 Beijing Experimental Primary School has been closed after students reportedly fell ill earlier this month. Yesterday the school authorities released the test results, saying the material met the national standards. However, experts pointed out that even though the playground material satisfied the standards, it does not mean the materials used for school playgrounds or running tracks are not toxic. Southern Metropolis Daily commented on Monday:

Similar incidents were previously reported in Shanghai and Guangdong, Zhejiang, Henan, Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces, with students reportedly experiencing nose bleeds, dizziness, coughs and repeated fevers that their parents blamed on toxic playgrounds or running tracks.

The outcomes of the investigations have not convinced most parents that the materials are not toxic.