Following protests by parents angered by endemic lead poisoning in an area surrounding a smelting plant, the local mayor has apologized to residents, temporarily closed down the plant, and promised to relocate hundreds of families within two years. AP reports:
The mayor of Baoji city, which oversees Changqing, arrived at the plant Monday as hundreds of villagers were protesting, tearing down fences and blocking traffic outside the factory, Xinhua reported. Dai Zhengshe apologized and said the plant will not be allowed to open again until it meets health standards, the report said.
Villagers had been enraged by the plant’s defiance of the Aug. 6 order to suspend operations, Xinhua said. Fighting between angry parents and scores of police broke out Sunday, and trucks delivering coal to the plant were stoned.
The mayor said the plant halted production only on Monday because of safety reasons. “We had to make sure the gas in the pipeline was exhausted before the plant was finally shut down,” Dai said in the Xinhua report.
A man surnamed Ma who lives in Madaokou — the other of the badly affected villages, about 500 yards (meters) from the factory — said residents believed at least two villagers were taken from their homes by police Monday night. He said the Baoji city government sent officials to his village Tuesday to try to pacify residents.
See also “New homes no haven for China child lead victims” from Reuters.
