Protests force chemical plant reassessment

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) said it would do an environmental assessment of Xiamen, Fujian province after local residents protested the opening of a chemical plant, the AP reported. Pan Yue, deputy director of SEPA, said Xiamen authorities had requested the assessment. The proposed paraxylene plant had triggered mass protests, aided by text messaging, from residents who were concerned about the plants' effects on their health. Paraxylene is used to make plastics, among other things, and can be fatal if inhaled.