92 children lead poisoned in central China

Changsha, China: Ninety-two children in central China's Hunan Province have excessive levels of lead in their blood, following a lead poisoning scandal exposed last month, local authorities said Wednesday.

A chemical plant in Dapu Township of Hengdong County was closed down in mid-June over suspicion that it caused lead poisoning to hundreds of local children.

The county government arranged blood tests for children whose place of residence is within a 600-meter radius of the plant. Of 315 children tested, 92 were found to have excessive levels of lead in their blood.

Another 393 children did not receive blood tests. Of them, 234 were living in other places and could not be contacted and 159 refused to be tested, government officials said.

All the affected children are receiving treatment, and will have more blood tests in two to three months.

Three officials in the local environmental protection bureau of the county were suspended in June following the scandal.

The incident is still under investigation.

-Xinhua