Hundreds protest against China chemical plant

Around 200 local people staged a protest march on Sunday against the construction of a petrochemical complex in southwest China, saying it would lead to serious air and water pollution, the Beijing News reported.
English

Protesters in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, marched peacefully for about two hours to demonstrate against plans for an ethylene plant and an oil refinery on the city’s outskirts, the report said. Reports quoted an unnamed resident saying the projects "could seriously pollute Chengdu’s air and water resources."

Construction had begun on one of the projects, the report said, which would be located about 35 kilometres north of Chengdu’s city centre.

Ethylene is a commonly used industrial compound in packaging and insulation. It can be toxic in large doses and lead to nausea, loss of memory and even death, Reuters said.

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