China’s environmental protection ministry is cracking down on pollution caused by lead and other heavy metals following a spate of poisoning cases and reports that much of the country is contaminated with toxic materials.
The new rules were announced late Wednesday, after dozens of children living near a battery plant in southern China’s Guangdong province were reported sickened by lead poisoning.
Businesses and local officials will face criminal penalties for violations of the rules, which limit new projects and require tighter enforcement of environmental protection regulations.
