Correcting pollution-monitoring flaws

After the "poisonous land" case in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, hit the headlines, students in another school in the same province recently also reported symptoms such as bleeding from their noses to body itching and skin peeling.

Students at the school in Haian county have complained of the pungent smell from neighboring chemical plants. The Haian county government did not deny the "peculiar smell" pollution, but it has been sluggish to respond and take action.

It has now ordered a full shutdown of the plants, but this only came after the students' symptoms emerged and their parents became concerned. This has sparked claims that children's health is once again being used as a "test" for pollution.