talk.politics.china

The Portrait of an Olympic Host -- China river pollution kills 40,000 kg
of fish

China river pollution kills 40,000 kg of fish

14 Aug 2007 13:57:54 GMT

Source: Reuters

BEIJING, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Waste water dumped by factories into a river
in southwest China has poisoned and killed about 40,000 kg (88,180 lb)
of fish, media said on Tuesday.

Eighty government officials went door to door in Chongan town, Guizhou
province, to warn villagers not to eat, sell or transport the fish,
state radio and news portal reported.

Dead fish were found floating on a 5-km (3-mile) stretch of the murky
and foul-smelling river on Aug. 10, the media said, adding it would take
another four to five days to clear them away.

Officials blamed the deaths on upstream factories dumping excessive
levels of fluorine, phosphate and arsenium into the river, the media
reports said.

The government has been struggling to curb pollution from factories and
mines that have driven frantic economic growth.

Last month the nation's top environmental protection official warned
public anger with worsening pollution was fuelling increasing protests.
He also criticised local governments for turning a blind eye to
factories transforming rivers into "sticky glue".


Reuters