39 children in China found to have lead poisoning

BEIJING - Thirty-nine children were hospitalised in China after they were found to have excessive lead levels in their blood, authorities said Friday.

A two-week health check period in southwest China’ s Yunnan province earlier this month showed excessive levels in blood samples of 39 children under the age of 14, Xinhua reported.

The health checks followed a crackdown by the local environmental protection department on illegal gold metallurgy activities, which could generate lead fumes and poisonous solid waste.

Excessive amounts of lead in the body can harm the nervous and reproductive systems and cause high blood pressure and anaemia.