Residents from the rural town of Depu in mainland China are deciding to take a stand against Melody Chemical, a chemical plant possibly responsible for the high levels of lead found in the blood of the town's children.
The case continues to move forward despite plaintiffs dropping out. More than 50 people originally agreed to join the lawsuit. However, the number of plaintiffs to date has already been reduced to 11, according to Reuters.
Hu Shaobo, a lawyer working on the case, believes that some of the plaintiffs withdrew from the case due to pressure from government officials.
The lawsuit, considered by many as the first of its kind to be accepted by the Chinese Court, is set to begin its proceedings next month. The plaintiffs are seeking a form of compensation from the company, though the amount being requested has not been disclosed.
The People's Republic of China has recently declared a "War on Pollution" as more and more people become vocal about their criticism regarding the growth-at-all-costs economic strategy adopted by the country, according to South Morning China Post. Due to the economic decision of recent years, the country's skies, soil, and water have taken a huge toll.
A revised environmental protection law was enacted last January in order to address the problem of the country regarding its main polluters. The law has raised the penalties imposed on polluters, while also enabling environmental organizations to file public interest lawsuits, according to Reuters.
However, in small rural areas like Dapu, companies which are suspected of polluting the environment are also the town's biggest taxpayers and employers. Hence, many people who feel the need to address the environmental problems that these companies produce are usually forced to choose between the lesser of two evils.
In a telephone interview with Reuters, plaintiff Yin Wanchin stated that local officials had urged him to withdraw from the case. The government has stated that his continued participation in the case would cause problems for him.
Yin, however, refuses to budge. "I told them this was a legal matter. What's the government doing interfering?," he said to Reuters. His 12-year-old granddaughter was among the children who were diagnosed with high levels of lead in her blood.
Attempts to reach Melody Chemical for a statement have so far been unsuccessful, according to Reuters.
