To ensure there's no carbon monoxide leaks in Chinese schools
the Ministry of Education has ordered a nationwide survey and
overhaul of school heating facilities especially in rural
areas.?
Six pupils - two boys and four girls - aged six to 10 died last
Monday at a primary school in Nanyao Village, Puxian County of
north China's Shanxi Province . They suffered carbon
monoxide poisoning when a generator was moved next door to their
bedroom.
Fumes leaked into the bedroom and killed them in a short space
of time. Two education officials were sacked following the tragic
deaths according to the provincial public security bureau.
In a circular to regional educational authorities the ministry
ordered a comprehensive inspection and overhaul of heating
facilities in schools especially coal-fired systems in rural
schoolhouses. The exercise is designed to "eliminate risks and
effectively prevent carbon monoxide poisoning."
(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2006)