BEIJING - A fertilizer plant in southwest China discharged a "huge amount" of sulfur dioxide, sickening about 140 children and teachers, state media reported Tuesday.

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The plant, which produces chemical fertilizers in the county of Xifeng in Guizhou province, emitted the colorless gas into the atmosphere Monday, the Xinhua News Agency said, citing a local official.

Five teachers and 135 students from two primary schools and a middle school reported problems breathing and were taken to a local hospital, Xinhua quoted the county's executive deputy head, Huang Yonghui, as saying.