Latest news with #leadpoisoning
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food
Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China's worst school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results. The report said the principal at the Tianshui kindergarten had wanted to attract more enrolments by 'enhancing' the colour and look of the food served to children. The school's cook bought industrial-grade pigment online, adding it to dishes despite the packages saying it was 'not for consumption'. One pigment was found to have lead levels 400,000 times the safe legal limit. The report said the school had previously bought food-safe colouring, at a cheaper cost, but preferred the 'brighter' colours. Initially, 235 students were hospitalised after eating the coloured food. Local state media quoted a parent at the time saying children had suffered stomach pain and nausea, and some children's teeth had turned black. Final tests revealed that 247 students, as well as staff including the principal, had elevated lead levels in their blood as a result of eating the food. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, have been arrested, accused of knowingly serving toxic and harmful food. Disciplinary investigations have been launched into the actions of 27 others working for the school, hospital and government. However, Sunday's report revealed mistakes and mishandling at almost every level of the process and response. It said the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention neglected the case after accepting it, and took samples in a way that violated health regulations and led to a 'huge difference' in the test results and the actual levels. At the Tianshui Second People's hospital, at least two children's test results were illegally 'modified' to record substantially lower lead levels, the report said. 'The management of Tianshui Second People's hospital and its laboratory department was chaotic, job responsibilities were not fully implemented, laboratory quality control was not fully implemented and relevant inspection personnel lacked systematic training,' the report said. It also accused the local education bureau of having 'turned a blind eye' to the kindergarten – which charges high fees – operating without a proper licence, and not conducting food safety inspections at any private kindergarten for two years. It said officials in charge of preschool education across multiple departments were suspected of accepting benefits and bribes from the Tianshui kindergarten's major investor and others linked to the school. The report said China's top anti-corruption authorities had filed a case for review and investigation against government officials of multiple levels, and opened an investigation into senior management at the hospital. It said the children had been treated and all but one had been discharged after the first round of treatment, during which lead levels dropped by an average of 40%. 'The provincial party committee and the provincial government are deeply saddened by the abnormal blood lead problem in the Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, and express their deep apologies to the children and their parents,' the report said. The release of the report was accompanied by reported protests by parents on Sunday evening outside the kindergarten. Footage shared online by Teacher Li, who monitors dissent inside China, claimed to show clashes between police and a few hundred people outside the Tianshui kindergarten. The footage showed officers using physical force, including batons, and angry parents confronting individuals in plain clothes, questioning their use of violence. As police cars appeared to try to escort the plain-clothed individuals away, parents blocked the road, shouting: 'Hand over those who beat people up.' Additional research by Lillian Yang
Malay Mail
22-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Six arrested, dozens investigated over use of toxic paint to brighten food in China kindergarten
BEIJING, July 22 — Chinese authorities have arrested six people and are investigating 27 others after more than 230 children at a kindergarten in Gansu province were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint. An official investigation released on Sunday found severe failures in oversight, food safety, and attempts to cover up the incident, including bribery and falsification of test results, The Guardian reported. The principal of Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui allegedly sought to attract more enrolments by making food look more appealing using non-edible pigment bought online. Despite clear warnings that the pigment was 'not for consumption,' the school's cook added it to children's meals, preferring its 'brighter' hues to safer, cheaper food-grade alternatives. One pigment used in the food contained lead levels that exceeded legal limits by 400,000 times, according to the Gansu provincial party committee report. Initially, 235 children were hospitalised after consuming the tainted food, showing symptoms including nausea, stomach pain, and discoloured teeth, with later tests confirming 247 people had elevated blood lead levels. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, now face criminal charges for knowingly serving toxic food, while 27 others from the school, hospital and government are under disciplinary review. The report also revealed that the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control mishandled the case and conducted tests improperly, leading to results that did not reflect actual exposure. At least two test results at Tianshui Second People's Hospital were deliberately altered to show falsely low lead levels, while the hospital was described as poorly managed and lacking proper training. Parents reportedly protested outside the kindergarten on Sunday night, clashing with police and demanding accountability, as authorities promised further investigations into corruption, misconduct, and regulatory failures at every level.
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food
Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China's worst ever school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results. The report said the principal at the Tianshui kindergarten had wanted to attract more enrolments by 'enhancing' the colour and look of the food served to children. The school's cook bought industrial-grade pigment online, adding it to dishes despite the packages saying it was 'not for consumption'. One pigment was found to have lead levels 400,000 times the safe legal limit. The report said the school had previously bought food-safe colouring, at a cheaper cost, but preferred the 'brighter' colours. READ MORE Initially 235 students were hospitalised after eating the coloured food. Local state media quoted a parent at the time saying children had suffered stomach pain and nausea, and some children's teeth had turned black. Final tests revealed that 247 students, as well as staff including the principal, had elevated lead levels in their blood as a result of eating the food. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, have been arrested, accused of knowingly serving toxic and harmful food. Disciplinary investigations have been launched into the actions of 27 others working for the school, hospital and government. However, Sunday's report revealed mistakes and mishandling at almost every level of the process and response. It said the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention neglected the case after accepting it, and took samples in a way that violated health regulations and led to a 'huge difference' in the test results and the actual levels. At the Tianshui Second People's hospital, at least two children's test results were illegally 'modified' to record substantially lower lead levels, the report said. 'The management of Tianshui Second People's hospital and its laboratory department was chaotic, job responsibilities were not fully implemented, laboratory quality control was not fully implemented and relevant inspection personnel lacked systematic training,' the report said. It also accused the local education bureau of having 'turned a blind eye' to the kindergarten – which charges high fees – operating without a proper licence, and not conducting food safety inspections at any private kindergarten for two years. It said officials in charge of preschool education across multiple departments were suspected of accepting benefits and bribes from the Tianshui kindergarten's major investor and others linked to the school. The report said China's top anti-corruption authorities had filed a case for review and investigation against government officials of multiple levels, and opened an investigation into senior management at the hospital. It said the children had been treated and all but one had been discharged after the first round of treatment, during which lead levels dropped by an average of 40 per cent. 'The provincial party committee and the provincial government are deeply saddened by the abnormal blood lead problem in the Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, and express their deep apologies to the children and their parents,' the report said. The release of the report was accompanied by reported protests by parents on Sunday evening outside the kindergarten. Footage shared online by Teacher Li, who monitors dissent inside China, claimed to show clashes between police and a few hundred people outside the Tianshui kindergarten. The footage showed officers using physical force, including batons, and angry parents confronting individuals in plain clothes, questioning their use of violence. As police cars appeared to try to escort the plain-clothed individuals away, parents blocked the road, shouting: 'Hand over those who beat people up.' - Guardian
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food
Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China's worst ever school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results. The report said the principal at the Tianshui kindergarten had wanted to attract more enrolments by 'enhancing' the colour and look of the food served to children. The school's cook bought industrial-grade pigment online, adding it to dishes despite the packages saying it was 'not for consumption'. One pigment was found to have lead levels 400,000 times the safe legal limit. The report said the school had previously bought food-safe colouring, at a cheaper cost, but preferred the 'brighter' colours. Initially 235 students were hospitalised after eating the coloured food. Local state media quoted a parent at the time saying children had suffered stomach pain and nausea, and some children's teeth had turned black. Final tests revealed that 247 students, as well as staff including the principal, had elevated lead levels in their blood as a result of eating the food. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, have been arrested, accused of knowingly serving toxic and harmful food. Disciplinary investigations have been launched into the actions of 27 others working for the school, hospital and government. However, Sunday's report revealed mistakes and mishandling at almost every level of the process and response. It said the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention neglected the case after accepting it, and took samples in a way that violated health regulations and led to a 'huge difference' in the test results and the actual levels. At the Tianshui Second People's hospital, at least two children's test results were illegally 'modified' to record substantially lower lead levels, the report said. 'The management of Tianshui Second People's hospital and its laboratory department was chaotic, job responsibilities were not fully implemented, laboratory quality control was not fully implemented and relevant inspection personnel lacked systematic training,' the report said. It also accused the local education bureau of having 'turned a blind eye' to the kindergarten – which charges high fees – operating without a proper licence, and not conducting food safety inspections at any private kindergarten for two years. It said officials in charge of preschool education across multiple departments were suspected of accepting benefits and bribes from the Tianshui kindergarten's major investor and others linked to the school. The report said China's top anti-corruption authorities had filed a case for review and investigation against government officials of multiple levels, and opened an investigation into senior management at the hospital. It said the children had been treated and all but one had been discharged after the first round of treatment, during which lead levels dropped by an average of 40%. 'The provincial party committee and the provincial government are deeply saddened by the abnormal blood lead problem in the Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, and express their deep apologies to the children and their parents,' the report said. The release of the report was accompanied by reported protests by parents on Sunday evening outside the kindergarten. Footage shared online by Teacher Li, who monitors dissent inside China, claimed to show clashes between police and a few hundred people outside the Tianshui kindergarten. The footage showed officers using physical force, including batons, and angry parents confronting individuals in plain clothes, questioning their use of violence. As police cars appeared to try to escort the plain-clothed individuals away, parents blocked the road, shouting: 'Hand over those who beat people up.' Additional research by Lillian Yang
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Six arrests after nearly 250 children poisoned by lead in their food in China
Six people have been arrested in China after nearly 250 children were found to have high levels of lead in their blood, investigators have said. Another 17 individuals are also "under disciplinary investigation", including the head of a local hospital, while 10 government officials have been held "accountable". It comes after a scandal involving Heshi Peixin kindergarten in Maiji, northwestern China, emerged earlier this month. Police said staff at the private kindergarten had been adding paint powder to food in an apparent bid to make it look more appealing. Testing showed 247 out of 251 of the kindergarten's children and 28 members of staff had "abnormal blood levels". A further five children who finished attending the kindergarten in 2024 also recorded abnormal levels of lead in their blood, according to investigators. A Sky News team in Maiji had been accused of returning tests for lead showing much lower levels than at the bigger hospitals. Investigators have now found the management of the Second People's Hospital of Tianshui was "chaotic" and its laboratory department had been illegally modifying the results of the blood lead tests. The head of the hospital is one of the 17 people facing disciplinary investigation. Sky News was told how one child was found to have lead in her blood at 38 times the normal level. Read more from Sky News: Lead poisoning at high levels can cause long term injuries to the brain and the central nervous system. A mother who lived near the kindergarten said: "Now if people send children to primary school, the first thing they ask is are you safe? "Can it guarantee the personal safety of our children in the future?"
