Three people in southern China's Guangdong Province were jailed for between 22 and 39 months for illegally discharging polluted water, a local court said.

The three defendants, including a man named Su Mouhua, illegally discharged water containing hydroxybenzene, a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene, on to road surfaces, vacant land and rivers in Danzhao Town, Nanhai District of Foshan City, between January and April last year, according to a ruling of the Nanhai District People's Court on Thursday.

In the city's first major environmental pollution case, the court was told that the polluted water left a bad odor, killed fish and shellfish, and caused nearby residents to suffer from respiratory ailments and vomiting.

It caused an economic loss of 1.1 million yuan (US$155,943) and forced Xinnong primary school to suspend classes.

Along with his two accomplices, Su was caught by police on April 27.

The court suggested the victims sue the three defendants and the company they represented for compensation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2008)