valve regulated lead acid battery China downplays risk to children from lead poisoning: report

BEIJING (Reuters )-
A human rights advocacy group said on Wednesday that Chinese children affected by lead poisoning in contaminated smelters and factories were denied testing, effective treatment, and even officials who played down health threats refused to provide basic information.
The Human Rights Watch report was released after a recent lead pollution outbreak in China, when 103 children and dozens of adults were poisoned by tin paper --
Manufacturing workshop in East Zhejiang province.
Beijing has vowed to clean up the long-term pollution, but New York-
Human Rights Watch said the efforts were only to meet the needs of thousands of children in China, which said it was suffering from lead poisoning.
Lead, which is especially harmful to children, can lead to learning difficulties and behavioral problems, and parents who often work in plants will bring extra doses to their clothes and skin.
A mother from Hunan province, south China, told investigators: "I want to know how sick my son is, but I can't trust the local test results," according to the report provided on the Human Rights Watch website: (www. hrw. org).
Human rights watchdog says citizens complaining about the problem are under pressure, citing dozens of interviews with parents in contaminated areas.
"Parents, journalists and community activists who dare to talk openly about lead are detained, harassed and eventually suppressed," said Joe Amon, director of Human Rights Watch health and human rights, in a statement released with reporters, the growth of Chinese industry has increased citizens' concerns about health, in particular, towns and villages located next to poorly managed factories and workshops are affected by pollution problems.
China is the world's largest consumer of refined lead, with battery consumption accounting for 70% of global consumption, likely to grow to 4.
1 million tons in 2011.
China's Ministry of Environment has promised to deal with heavy metal poisoning as widespread cases have sparked public anger and protests. Three-
Leading quarter
An industry agency said last month that China's acid battery manufacturing plant could be eliminated in the next two to three years.
Despite these vows, Beijing's leaders have been trying to control local officials who will put industry and economic growth ahead of environmental protection.
Human Rights Watch, building on 52 interviews, found that local governments denied the scope of potential poisoning and released misleading information about the dangers of living near contaminated factories.
Advocacy groups say parents are often told that drinking milk or eating garlic and eggs is enough treatment for lead poisoning.
"The doctor told us that all the children in this village had lead poisoning.
A few months later, they told us that all the children were healthy.
However, they won't let us see the results of the test, "the report quoted a parent in Yunnan province as saying.
"The government doesn't want to give us anything, so they will make a result," said another parent in Henan province . ".
Frequent exposure to a small amount of lead can lead to lead poisoning, damage to the nervous system, reproductive system and kidneys, and lead to high blood pressure and anemia.
"In the villages with the highest exposure to lead, a generation of children with cognitive and physical disabilities will need a lot and sustained support," the report said . ".
The organization compares corruption and cover-up.
Lead poisoning cases nationwide rose
Introduction aids and serious acute respiratory system syndrome event damage the international trust, China Public health administrative department in 1990 s early 2000 s.
"So far, the reaction to lead poisoning has followed the same path, but it's not too late for the Chinese government to adopt a different approach," the report said . ".