11 officials penalized after lead poisoning scandal
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Eleven county officials in northwest China have been given disciplinary penalties after 851 children fell ill in lead poisoning, local media reported Tuesday.
The officials worked with the county government, environment protection authorities and the management committee of an industrial park in Fengxiang county, Shaanxi Province,, according to a report in Baoji Daily, quoting the discipline inspection commission of Baoji City, which has jurisdiction over Fengxiang.
The names of the penalized were yet to be disclosed as the disciplinary procedures had not been completed, a commission spokesman was quoted as saying.
The general manager and deputy general manager of Dongling Lead and Zinc Smelting Co., which caused the poisoning, had been removed from their posts, Baoji Daily said without giving their names.
Local authorities reported on Aug. 7 that excessive lead was found in 138 children in two villages of Changqing Township of Fengxiang.
Villagers took to the streets on Aug. 17, demanding the closure of the smelter. The protests drew attention nationwide. Following blood tests found 815 had excessive blood-lead levels.
