Source:
ReutersBEIJING, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Chinese villagers who were moved away from a lead and zinc smelter that locals say poisoned hundreds of children may still be at risk in their new homes and experts will test the site for the heavy metal, state media said.
Protesters on Monday broke into the plant that they blame for making more than 600 children sick, smashing trucks and tearing down fences, but police eventually dispersed them peacefully.
The smelter, in northwestern Shaanxi province, opened in 2006 and residents living within 500 metres (1,640 ft) were supposed to have been relocated by this year.
The official Xinhua news agency said operations were suspended on Aug. 6 after news of the poisoning spread, yet it may reopen.
"Now we've closed down the plant, we won't allow it to open again until it has been proven it will not harm villagers," Xinhua quoted Dai Zhengshe, mayor of the nearby city of Baoji, as saying.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSPEK40981
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