Up to 500 students in China whose school was built on a toxic waste dump emitting hazardous level of toxins have suffered health conditions ranging from nosebleeds and rashes to lymphoma and leukaemia. Environmental activists in the country are now calling for an independent investigation and new legislation. The case has been widely reported and tens of millions of people watched a report on state broadcaster CCTV. Campaigners have likened the case to the 1978 Love Canal disaster in the US which saw dumped toxic chemicals causing serious health problems in upstate New York. In March this year, Chinese authorities announced that they would be building two more nuclear power plants at Hualong One – one each near Shanghai and Shenyang.
Up to 500 students in China whose school was built on a toxic waste dump emitting hazardous level of toxins have suffered health conditions ranging from nosebleeds and rashes to lymphoma and leukaemia. Environmental activists in the country are now calling for an independent investigation and new legislation. The case has been widely reported and tens of millions of people watched a report on state broadcaster CCTV. Campaigners have likened the case to the 1978 Love Canal disaster in the US which saw dumped toxic chemicals causing serious health problems in upstate New York. As a result of the disaster, the US introduced strong legislation governing the disposal of hazardous waste by chemical companies.