Toxic Tracks

Since early 2016, students in at least 15 cities across China have
been found to suffer from nose bleeds, nausea and dizziness allegedly because of the exposure to toxic chemicals in school run
ning tracks. Investigations launched by government-appointed
institutions have found no link between the children’s symptoms and running tracks, and no hazardous chemicals could be identified during laboratory testing, findings which have generated widespread parental protest and accusations of a cover-up. Synthetic running tracks made chiefly from cheap recycled materials including used tires, cables and other kinds of industrial waste are widely used in China’s schools and colleges. The lack of mandatory manufacturing standards and government oversight of this industry are blamed for the proliferation of unlicensed manufacturers, leading to the widespread use of hazardous materials in the making of school equipment.