Xiamen (China), Sep 27 (Xinhua) More than 120 children have fallen ill due to lead poisoning in southeast China’s Fujian province, authorities said.
Of the 287 children aged under 14 tested in Longyan city, 120 were found to have excessive levels of lead in their blood.
The tests were carried out after residents refused to send their children to school and demanded action against a battery plant suspected to be the source of the poisoning.
The Huaqiang Battery plant was subsequently closed.
Lin Xu, a local official, said the government would bear all the medical expenses of the children.
China has reported a spate of lead poisoning cases this year. Over 2,000 children have been treated in Shaanxi, Hunan and Yunnan.
Lead poisoning can result in anaemia, muscle weakness, gastrointestinal problems and brain damage.
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