CHINA

China Province Elevates Probe Into Kindergarten Lead-Poisoning Scandal

Published: Jul. 14, 2025 1:51 p.m. GMT+8

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The government of China’s Gansu province has sharply escalated its investigation into a lead-poisoning scandal at a kindergarten, appointing its two top leaders to oversee a probe amid rising public anger and questions over the initial official response.

The provincial government has formed a special task force led by Gansu’s Communist Party Secretary Hu Changsheng and Governor Ren Zhenhe, an unusually high-level response to a local food-safety incident.

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Gansu province escalated its probe into a kindergarten lead-poisoning scandal, forming a high-level task force led by top provincial leaders.
233 out of 251 students at Bexin Kindergarten had abnormal blood lead levels, with food samples showing lead levels thousands of times above the national safety standard.
Eight individuals were detained, while parents distrusted official findings and independent tests revealed higher lead levels than reported.

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