China: Over 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint
What's the story
In a shocking incident, over 230 kindergarten children in China's Gansu province were poisoned after consuming food colored with industrial-grade lead paint. The principal of Tianshui kindergarten allegedly wanted to make the food more appealing to attract more students. The school's cook purchased the non-consumable pigment online and added it to meals, ignoring warnings on the packaging.
Legal action
Six kindergarten staff members arrested
Initial reports indicated 235 students were hospitalized with symptoms like stomach pain and nausea. Further tests revealed 247 students and staff had elevated lead levels in their blood. In response to this grave incident, six kindergarten staff members, including the principal, were arrested for knowingly serving toxic food. Disciplinary investigations have also been initiated against 27 other people associated with the school, hospital, and government.
Systemic failures
Attempts to cover up the incident
An investigative report by the Gansu provincial party committee revealed a series of failures in safety and oversight. The report highlighted attempts to cover up the incident, bribe officials, and modify test results. It also accused the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of mishandling samples, leading to inaccurate test results.
Cover-up
Report accused local education bureau of negligence
The report also accused Tianshui Second People's Hospital of illegally modifying test results to show lower lead levels. It claimed that the local education bureau had ignored licensing issues at the kindergarten and had failed to conduct food safety inspections for two years. China's top anti-corruption authorities have since opened investigations into government officials and senior management at the hospital.
Public outcry
Parents protest outside kindergarten demanding answers
The report's release was met with protests by parents outside the Tianshui kindergarten. Footage showed clashes between police and parents demanding accountability for those responsible for the incident. The provincial party committee and government have expressed deep apologies to affected children and their families over this "abnormal blood lead problem."