Safety standards set for school tracks, turf

Safe limits of dangerous chemicals emitted by synthetic running tracks, playgrounds and artificial turf - volatile organic compounds and carcinogenic formaldehyde - have been specified for the first time in new standards for schools in Zhejiang province.

The new standards were published on the education department's website over the weekend.

Students at several primary and middle schools fell ill and the synthetic materials used for the running tracks and artificial grass were suspected culprits.