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| 'Hundreds ill' near China smelter | 'Hundreds ill' near China smelter |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Authorities in China have closed a second metal smelter after more than 1,300 children fell sick with lead poisoning, state media have reported. | |
| The children were living near a manganese plant in Wenping, in Hunan province, Xinhua news agency said. | The children were living near a manganese plant in Wenping, in Hunan province, Xinhua news agency said. |
| Two executives of the plant have been detained over the poisoning. | Two executives of the plant have been detained over the poisoning. |
| It follows the closure of another smelter in northern Shaanxi province, where more than 600 children were found to have lead poisoning. | It follows the closure of another smelter in northern Shaanxi province, where more than 600 children were found to have lead poisoning. |
| In both cases, the smelters were closed after angry parents confronted authorities over their childrens' illnesses. | |
| Lead poisoning can cause a range of health problems, from learning disabilities to seizures. Children under six are most at risk. | |
| Air, soil and water pollution is common in China, which has seen rapid economic growth over the past few decades. |