More than 200 children have been poisoned with lead at a kindergarten in China. Authorities have made multiple arrests following the incident.
According to a report by Sky News, the incident occurred in the town of Maiji in Northwest China. A private kindergarten is accused of adding powder paint to food to make it look more appetizing. The establishment has 251 students, and authorities have found that 233 of them have unhealthy levels of lead in their blood. Local authorities reportedly revealed that 201 children required hospital treatment.
The incident rocked the community, and Sky News explained that two food samples were seized from the establishment, with lead levels 2000 times the safe, legal limit. The outlet also shares damning CCTV footage from inside the kindergarten kitchen. Workers appear to add a coloring powder to the food during preparation.
Police reportedly became aware that something was wrong when multiple students recorded high lead levels in their blood. Lead poisoning has a disturbing list of symptoms. Per the Mayo Clinic, it can be difficult to detect, but symptoms include learning difficulties, abdominal pain, and seizures.
Authorities Have Made Several Arrests At The Kindergarten
Police have reportedly made eight arrests in connection with the poisoning, including the head teacher and one of the “key financial backers” for the Kindergarten. CNN reveals the establishment as the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten. The outlet also explains that the arrests were “on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food.”
Authorities claim they seized paint from the business, which was clearly labelled “non-edible.” Tianshui’s top law enforcement official allegedly claimed that the principal and investor hoped the brightly colored food would “attract more enrollment and increase revenue.”
CNN explained that the government had not revealed how long the exposure may have lasted. However, some of the affected children’s parents claim they have noticed abnormalities for months. One mother told state media, “My mind went blank.” They explain that a local hospital in Tianshui detected no issues with her child’s blood. A hospital in another city then told her they found 528 micrograms of lead per liter. Anything above 450 is reportedly classed as “severe lead poisoning.”
Per People, a government report said authorities are “deeply saddened by the physical and mental harm caused to the children and parents of Maiji District Peixin Kindergarten.” An investigation remains ongoing.