China Hiding Extent of Lead Poisoning Among Children
June 15th, 2011Via: BBC:
China has been accused of trying to cover up the extent of lead poisoning among children, and of blocking effective testing and treatment.
A report by Human Rights Watch says local authorities in heavily-polluted industrial areas have been sending sick children back to contaminated homes.
It says that in these areas – Henan, Yunnan, Shaanxi and Hunan provinces – anyone who complains is being harassed.
China has promised to clean up chronic pollution from heavy metals.
But reports of poisoning remain widespread – hundreds of thousands of children are suffering from lead poisoning, the HRW report says.
It says that parents are being denied the right to tests and medical help, and says the government should stop delaying a meaningful response as the problem would damage future economic growth and health care.
