5 officials suspended for E China school pollution
Xinhua 2013-09-15 11:04
A TV report of the incident. (Internet photo)
Five people have been suspended from their posts pending investigation into pollution that led to nosebleeds in 21 students at a primary school in Zhejiang province earlier this month, local authorities said on Friday.
An investigation by the provincial environmental protection bureau showed that excessive formaldehyde was detected in classrooms at no. 9 Primary School in Beibaixiang township, in the city of Yueqing.
Hazardous gases such as hydrogen chloride and chromic acid mist from neighboring factories were also found in the air around the school, government sources said.
Five responsible officials have been suspended, the sources said.
Nineteen students from the school suffered nosebleeds on Sept 4, and some also showed symptoms of vomiting, headache and stomachache. Two other students suffered nosebleeds on Monday.
The school has about 1,200 students and more than 60 teachers and staff.
Experts from the provincial health department concluded that the students' nosebleeds were partly caused by the hazardous gases.
However, they pointed out that children are susceptible to nosebleeds, especially during seasonal changes, and some children's nosebleeds could be attributed to a psychological stress reaction.
In the wake of the incident, environmental protection watchdogs in Yueqing have demolished illegal buildings neighboring the school and suspended 49 factories or workshops within 1 km of the school for inspection.
Investigators found that the school was newly put into use, and desks, chairs and some classroom walls were newly painted. All students were moved to the school's old site and resumed classes on Monday.
