This article discusses the recent lead poisoning incident at a kindergarten in Tianshui, China, the official response, and public skepticism surrounding the explanation. The incident has sparked widespread concern and debate, raising questions about the true cause and potential cover-up.
Initial Incident and Public Outcry
Recently, a hot topic in China has been the collective infection of over 200 children at a Tianshui Kindergarten. This has led to public concern and scrutiny of the official explanation. The speaker expresses surprise that this incident reached the top of hot searches, especially given recent efforts to suppress such news. There's a strong sentiment that if China claims to be a culturally advanced nation, it should not engage in actions that lack integrity.
Official Explanation vs. Parent Observations
The Contradiction
The official explanation attributes the lead poisoning to a mistake in postpartum care at the kindergarten. However, this explanation is contradicted by the observations of the parents. The official version suggests a direct poisoning requiring immediate emergency treatment.
Parent's Testimony
Parents reported a gradual decline in their children's appetites and the appearance of premature gray hair. Hospital checks then revealed the lead poisoning. This suggests a slow, long-term exposure to lead, rather than a single, acute incident. The slow and progressive nature of the symptoms, in contrast to an acute reaction from a large dose, points to continuous exposure.
Questioning the Official Investigation Results
Parents and netizens have expressed disagreement with the official investigation results from Tianshui, finding them illogical and contrary to common sense.
Cost-Effectiveness Concerns
The official notification cites expanding the source of income as the original motive. The speaker questions the logic of this motive, as doing a good job would be a more effective way to attract parents and increase income. The use of pigment, which is more expensive than practical speeds, doesn't align with the goal of increasing income.
Lack of Rationality
The speaker points out that the packaging of dye clearly states that it is not usable. Moreover, even without explicit knowledge, the dye has a sharp taste, bitterness, and metal taste that should have raised concerns. The speaker highlights the improbability of the official explanation, citing the high volume of pigment needed.
Historical Context and Public Suspicion
The speaker mentions a similar lead poisoning case in Tianshui 20 years ago, where initial tests were normal, but later data revealed the truth. This history makes it difficult for parents and the public not to draw connections and raises suspicion about the current investigation. The speaker challenges the official narrative, urging honesty and transparency.
Analysis of the Official Explanation
Discrediting the Color Dye Theory
The speaker questions the theory of the chef adding dye out of ingenuity. The logistics of restaurant purchasing, where multiple people are involved, makes it difficult for a chef to single-handedly add dye without it being noticed. Restaurant dye is mostly used for decorative purposes, not food coloring.
The Speaker's Experiments
The speaker mentions conducting a test to determine if the official explanation could be correct. They purchased a dye called Zhongge Huang, which contains a high percentage of lead, and experimented with it in cooking. The speaker attempted to replicate the conditions described in the official report to assess the feasibility of the paint theory.
Water Contamination as a Potential Cause
The speaker believes that the water used by the Tianshui Kindergarten is likely the root of the problem. Tianshui has a nearby mine with a history of lead poisoning incidents among local residents. The speaker highlights the possibility of ongoing water contamination from mining activities. They emphasize the potential scale of the problem, noting that the water supply likely extends beyond the kindergarten.
Limited Response and Media Coverage
Despite the severity of the situation, the speaker notes that the official notification came quickly, leading many to believe the matter has been resolved. Efforts to encourage widespread testing in the area have been limited. The New York Times has reported on the incident.
Underlying Issue: Prioritizing Stability Over Solutions
The speaker argues that the incident is being handled similarly to a previous oil tanker incident, with officials focusing on a narrow explanation to avoid addressing the larger, underlying issues. The speaker contends that the government is unwilling to spend the necessary resources to genuinely solve the problem, preferring to prioritize stability and control. They believe the government is more inclined to choose stability over addressing the root cause.