Cliff Notes
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Six individuals have been arrested in connection with high lead levels found in nearly 250 children from Heshi Peixin kindergarten, prompting further investigations into 17 others, including hospital officials.
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Investigators revealed that kindergarten staff allegedly added paint powder to food to enhance its appearance, leading to 247 out of 251 children showing abnormal blood lead levels.
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The local hospital involved faced scrutiny, with claims of manipulated test results and chaotic management, exacerbating public concern over children’s safety in the region.
Six arrests after nearly 250 children poisoned by lead in their food in China | World News
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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 reported how the local hospital 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.
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?”