An environmental restoration project in Jiangsu turned instead into a chemical dumping ground after a local company discarded “dangerous” waste in the area.

Residents in Taixing, in Jiangsu, said they noticed bizarre odors and unusually dark soil starting in 2016. They suspected the cause was a compound dumped by local company Youlian Fine Chemical, CCTV reported Tuesday. 

The Taixing government had been planning to restore the natural environment of the area where the signs of contamination were later discovered.

A Tsinghua University team examined the waste and soil and found ”dangerous” levels of the chemical cyanamide, which is used in medicines and pesticides.

A CCTV investigation found that Youlian Fine Chemical dumped around 8,000 tons of cyanamide in the area, including over 1,000 tons under a sports field.

After residents complained, the Taixing municipal conservation bureau ordered the company to remove the waste — but only 80 tons were removed, CCTV said.

It has not been made public whether Youlian Fine Chemical has received any additional punishment.

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