Welcome to “Current Affairs Scan.” I’m Jin Ran.
In the past few days, a heartbreaking news from Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China has shocked numerous parents: Over 200 children in a kindergarten named Heshi Peixin were found to have excessive lead levels in their blood, sparking nationwide attention and public outrage. This food safety scandal not only exposed local management loopholes but also pointed to deeper environmental issues. From the innocent cries of the children to the silence of the principal, to the official response from the Chinese Communist Party and the investigations by numerous netizens, every detail of this storm is filled with stories and suspense.
On July 1st, over 200 children were reported to have lead poisoning at the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui City, Gansu Province. As of July 7th, all 251 children were tested, with 233 showing excessively high lead levels, and some children are still hospitalized. This incident has drawn national attention reminiscent of the Sanlu tainted milk powder scandal.
So, what did these children eat that caused such high lead levels in their blood? According to official reports, the corn rolls and red date cakes consumed by the children contained lead levels surpassing the national food safety standard (0.5 milligrams per kilogram) by 2,000 times. Samples of corn rolls had 1,340 milligrams of lead per kilogram, and red date cakes had 1,052 milligrams per kilogram. Parents reported symptoms in their children, such as soft legs, fever, black teeth, and hair loss. Experts pointed out that lead poisoning can cause neurological symptoms in children, including decreased memory, delayed language development, and in severe cases, brain damage. Lead damage to the central nervous system is irreversible, with younger children suffering greater harm.
After the incident, angry parents gathered outside the kindergarten, demanding accountability. One parent lamented, questioning if this situation could have been prevented with earlier testing and demanded that the responsible authorities be held accountable.
When it comes to incidents that may implicate local leaders in China, one can often observe the local government trying to suppress information and pressure victims to settle quietly. Some parents revealed that the Tianshui City authorities threatened parents of children affected by the kindergarten incident, pressuring them to either pay for treatment in Xi’an or return to Tianshui for free treatment. Instances were also reported where leaders from Tianshui City made “condolence calls” to parents, claiming that the data from hospitals in Xi’an was unreliable. Faced with such interference, some parents decided to take their children to Tianjin for lead testing instead.
A video surfaced of a child crying while being tested for blood, with the parent expressing frustration online, questioning who should be held accountable for their two children. Another parent shared evidence of lead testing results varying significantly between local hospitals in Tianshui and hospitals in Xi’an.
The lead poisoning incident at the kindergarten escalated quickly, with parents from other kindergartens in Tianshui City, also run by the same owner as Heshi Peixin, demanding explanations before sending their children to school.
As the lead poisoning incident at the kindergarten gained nationwide attention, questions arose about who should be held responsible. A video without a timestamp emerged online, showing kitchen staff adding brightly colored powders to flour to create yellow corn sticks and layered red date cakes.
With this video’s release, public opinion shifted, blaming the kindergarten’s kitchen staff for the lead poisoning. Some even suggested that the kindergarten, in a bid to attract more parents, purchased a batch of “colorful pigments” for marketing purposes, leading to the poisoning. Official media also joined the conversation, as local authorities took action by detaining eight individuals, including the principal and major investors, on suspicion of producing toxic food. It appeared that a nationwide scandal was about to unfold.
While the official narrative tried to paint the kindergarten’s use of “colorful pigments” as the cause of the lead poisoning, some netizens raised doubts. They questioned why anyone would opt for expensive toxic pigments over affordable food coloring, leading to suspicions of misinformation to cover the truth.
A netizen familiar with the kindergarten’s context pointed out another inexplicable fact: the principal of the affected kindergarten also owned three other kindergartens where similar food was prepared without lead issues. This raised doubts about the “colorful pigments” being the true cause of the poisoning.
Moreover, revelations surfaced regarding historical events, with suspicions of environmental pollution potentially being the main cause behind the lead poisoning, as a similar incident occurred in Tianshui 15 years ago due to soil and air contamination from nearby lead-zinc smelters.
As the discussion unfolded online, more connections emerged, such as the proximity of the kindergarten to the Baiyin Nonferrous Group Zinc Plant and discrepancies in lead testing data between Tianshui and Xi’an. Concerns of falsified data were raised, pointing towards a larger orchestrated cover-up.
Not only were children at the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten affected by lead poisoning, but several teachers also tested positive. Strangely, officials attempted to conceal the results and refused affected teachers hospital treatment. One emotional video showed a kindergarten teacher questioning why they were not allowed treatment despite being exposed to lead.
The local government not only hindered hospital treatments for lead-poisoned children and teachers but also sent plainclothes police to prevent unofficial reporting on the matter. It was evident that a comprehensive suppression strategy was in motion to conceal the truth.
A parent whose child graduated from the kindergarten last year shared their shock upon receiving test results, realizing their child had been suffering from lead poisoning for four years. The parent expressed anguish over the long-term impact on their child’s health and highlighted the challenges faced due to delayed diagnosis.
With fears that this lead poisoning incident might meet a fate similar to that of the previous scandal, local accounts shed light on potential water source contamination from privately dug wells used by the kindergarten, pointing to a more complex issue beyond simple explanations.
As speculation grew about potential fallout from the incident, posts online hinted at the high stakes involved. If the source of lead poison was traced back to the neighboring metal plant, it could lead to the dismissal of the entire Tianshui leadership. Conversely, if it was proven that the kindergarten staff illegally used industrial pigments, harsh legal consequences could befall them. The question loomed – which narrative would prevail?
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