220,000 Pounds Of Dead Fish Float In Fuhe River in China

Environmental officials say animals have been killed by ammonia from nearby chemical plant amid worsening pollution problem. Chinese authorities have scooped up about 100, 000kg (220,000 lb) of dead fish they say were poisoned by ammonia from a chemical plant.

Environmental officials and state media said in a reminder of the pollution plaguing the country.

The Hubei province environmental protection department, which was notified of the discovery in the Fuhe river on Monday, pointed the finger at local company Hubei Shuanghuan Science and Technology Stock Co. Officials said sampling of its drain outlet showed that ammonia density far exceeded the national standard.

The company has refused to comment. Inadequate controls on industry and lax enforcement of existing standards have worsened China’s pollution problem stemming from three decades of economic growth.

Highprofile incidents this year involving dead animals in rivers not only attributed to pollution but also carcasses dumped by farmers have added to concerns about the safety of drinking water.

The latest incident has affected the nearby village of Huanghualao where 1600 residents make a living from fishing.