China smelter plant closed

Authorities in north China have shut down a smelting plant blamed for the lead poisoning of more than 600 children, after villagers complained the facility was still in use, state media said yesterday.

Tests have shown that at least 615 children out of 731 living in two villages near the plant in Shaanxi province's Changqing township have excessive lead levels in their blood.

Authorities ordered the plant to suspend lead and zinc operations nearly two weeks ago, but angry villagers stormed the smelter on Monday and complained it was still producing coke, the official Xinhua news agency said.

One villager quoted in the report said workers had been told not to wear uniforms so as to be less obvious, and added that lights were on in workshops until midnight every day.

The mayor of Baoji city, to which Changqing belongs, said coke production had now been stopped.

"Now we've closed down the plant, we won't allow it to open again until it has been proven it will not harm villagers," Dai Zhengshe was quoted as saying.