Mass Lead Poisoning Scandal Rocks Chinese Kindergarten, Sparks Nationwide Outrage
The Tianshui Peixin Kindergarten Lead Poisoning Incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage across China, with 233 out of 251 children tested showing elevated lead levels. The incident came to light on July 1, 2023, when the Tianshui Municipal Government received a report from the public, prompting an immediate investigation. As of July 7, all 251 children had been tested, with 233 showing abnormal blood lead levels and 18 testing normal. Additionally, several kindergarten teachers were also found to have severely elevated lead levels.
8 July 2025
The investigation revealed that the incident was caused by the gross negligence of the kindergarten's management, specifically the garden's principal, Zhu Certainlin (also known as Zhu Jinglin), and investor, Li Certainfang (also known as Li Hui Fang). They allowed kitchen staff to purchase non-food-grade paint pigments online, which were then diluted and used in food preparation, resulting in the large-scale lead poisoning. The suspects, including Zhu and Li, have been arrested and are being held in criminal detention.
The public has been left reeling from the news, with parents expressing devastated emotions upon receiving their children's test results. The scale of the incident has particularly alarmed the public, triggering intense social attention and demands for accountability from both the kindergarten management and regulatory authorities. Many are calling for stricter oversight of educational institutions, and medical experts have been quoted discussing the potential long-term health implications of lead poisoning.
The incident has exposed significant loopholes in the regulatory system, particularly in the management of private kindergartens and food safety. The failure of cross-departmental cooperation and the lack of effective monitoring mechanisms have been cited as major contributors to the incident. The local government's crisis management capabilities have also been called into question, with the city's vice mayor acknowledging shortcomings in the supervision and training of private kindergartens and their staff.
The incident is likely to have far-reaching consequences, including a potential overhaul of the private kindergarten industry and a push for increased standardization and regulation. The government has pledged to hold those responsible accountable and to establish more effective monitoring systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. The public remains vigilant, demanding justice and better protection for the health and safety of children in educational institutions.
