3 companies responsible for child lead poisoning

SHANGHAI – Three companies were responsible for an incident last year in which dozens of children developed lead poisoning, according to a report by the municipal government. In late September, 49 children, mainly between the ages of one and three, were found with elevated blood lead levels. They were among the 1,306 children living in the Kangqiao area of the city’s Pudong district who had pre-school physical exams. The children were sent for treatment, and environmental and health authorities carried out an investigation. The investigation found that the children were exposed to high levels of airborne lead in their living environments, according to the government report released on Saturday. The report said a battery plant, an auto parts manufacturer and a recycling company were connected to the lead poisoning. The report said Shanghai Johnson Controls International Battery Co Ltd was identified as the major source of lead contamination in Kangqiao. It said the company expanded its production without government permits, and discharged excess airborne lead. Shanghai Xinmingyuan Automobile Parts Co Ltd was found to have made an unauthorized change in its production technology involving lead. Excessive levels of lead and zinc were found in the soil near the plant of Shanghai Kangshuo Waste Recycling Co, which recycles used goods and materials. More…

News selected by Covalence | Country: China | Company: Johnson Controls, Shanghai Xinmingyuan Automobile Parts Co, Shanghai Kangshuo Waste Recycling Co | Source: China Daily