The Jilin Petrochemical Company, a subsidiary of the PetroChina group, will be fined one million yuan (US$125,000) since being held responsible for a chemical plant explosion, causing severe water pollution in the Songhua River.

 

A report from the State Environmental Protection Administration said the incident occurred in a nitrobenzene rectification plant on November 13, 2005, in a chemical factory subordinate to the Jilin Petrochemical Company.

 

The toxins generated in the explosion then fell into the Songhua River, causing pollution that led to the cut of drinking water supplies in major cities along the river and threatening water safety in the area bordering Russia.

 

According to China's environmental laws, units found to cause severe water pollution will face fines of up to one million yuan.

 

(CRI January 25, 2007)