In Gansu’s Tianshui city, 233 young children at the Maiji District’s Heshi Peixin Kindergarten were found to have abnormal blood lead levels. According to official reports, the cause of lead poisoning was determined to be the result of kitchen staff at the kindergarten adding colorful paint to food. Eight individuals responsible for this act have been arrested. However, the official statement did not quell public outrage, and the motive described in the report has also raised questions.
Following the exposure of the lead poisoning incident, the Peixin Kindergarten decided to start summer break early and has since closed its doors, ceasing operations. On the same day, a joint investigation team in Tianshui city released a report on the investigation into the event.
Many netizens questioned why the kindergarten used paint as a food additive. Guo Qingxiang, Deputy Mayor of Tianshui and Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, explained that the kindergarten’s director and legal representative, Zhu, and investor Li agreed to purchase inedible paint through online platforms to expand the student population and increase profits at the kindergarten. The individuals involved in this illegal activity have been detained on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food. In addition to the arrests, these actions have sparked skepticism among the public.
Some netizens pointed out previous incidents of lead poisoning in Tianshui in 2006, suggesting that the situation might be more complex than just using paint as a substitute for food additives. The discrepancies in test results between local hospitals and the one in Xi’an raised further suspicions. Questions were also raised about why only the Peixin Kindergarten resorted to such methods if the motive was solely to expand profits.
Reports indicated that prices of paint and food coloring do not significantly differ online, undermining the alleged motive behind the kindergarten’s actions. Furthermore, while the Peixin Kindergarten had 233 children with abnormal lead levels, three other kindergartens owned by the same investor showed normal test results.
The investigation revealed that 233 out of 251 children at the Peixin Kindergarten had abnormal blood lead levels. Parents who received conflicting test results from different hospitals questioned the authorities for concealing information and attempting to influence medical reports in Xi’an.
In a video shared online, local officials were seen trying to intervene in the medical examination process in Xi’an, causing an uproar among parents. They accused the Tianshui officials of using medical benefits as leverage to force children to return for treatment in Tianshui.
Notably, Gansu province has a history of lead poisoning incidents. In 2006, a lead smelting plant in Huixian, Gansu emitted toxic gases and wastewater, resulting in many children and villagers testing positive for lead exposure.
The proximity of a lead mine owned by the Baiyin Nonferrous Group near the affected kindergarten raised speculation about potential environmental influences on the children’s health. Some netizens speculated that only the local government could coordinate such a cover-up involving hospitals, internet management, and propaganda departments.
Public records show that the Baiyin Nonferrous Group is a state-owned enterprise supervised by the Gansu Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.