Experts urge greater vigilance and tougher regulations

Frequent reports of illnesses related to synthetic running tracks and playgrounds on China's campuses have attracted the attention of education experts, who are now urging the upgrade of national standards for the construction and supervision of school facilities.

Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said schools across the country are becoming standardized as they build a range of facilities, including rubber-based running tracks and playgrounds.

However, he said other aspects, such as quality and safety standards, may not have been fully considered and a number of detailed standards should be formulated.