China's water could be contaminated from chemical leaks
Updated
Greenpeace fears drinking water in south-west China may become contaminated from chemical factories destroyed in this month's earthquake.
Amanda Morgan reports.
"There are more than 4000 chemical factories in Sichuan province. And hundreds of them may have been destroyed in the earthquake. Authorities have forced the surviving factories to stop production or relocate hazardous materials. But Lo Sze Ping from Greenpeace says exposed chemicals may contaminate drinking water.' If the destroyed factories are not given full attention a possible contamination of the environment and particularly drinking water, scarce drinking water in the area may happen. This would be a very bad situation.' State media also says authorities are trying to remove radioactive material that lies downstream from a lake that could burst its banks and send torrents of water into populated areas."
