Many regions in China which have been suffering from increasing pollution from coal-fired plants, have recently released reports of lead poisoning. These reports have been coming in from the Gansu province in the northwest region of that country. Residents of two villages in the area were reported to be seeking hospital treatment after their blood test results showed high levels of lead. A nearby smelter is pointed out as the possible source of the pollution which has ultimately led to the harm that has been caused to these villagers, according to Chinese newspapers.

According to The Beijing Daily Messenger, almost every family in the area were found to have high levels of lead in their blood.

Lead poisoning damages the nervous system, eventually leading to dementia, convulsions and death.  In fact, the Roman habit of drinking wine from lead-lined vessels is thought by some scholars to  have contributed to the decline of Roman society. Hopefully, as China modernizes, they will pay closer attention to the lessons of history than their Western counterparts.