Society

At least 31 residents in an east China county have been found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood after the metal was improperly disposed of by a local battery plant, officials said Monday.

Investigators from the environmental protection authority of eastern Zhejiang Province concluded that the lead poisoning incident in Deqing County was caused by Zhejiang Haijiu Battery Co., Ltd.'s "illegal disposal of industrial waste" and lax supervision by a local environment watchdog.

Three-hundred and seventeen villagers have taken blood tests in Deqing so far, according to a spokesman from the county government. Thirty-one of the villagers, including 11 children, were found to have excessive amounts of lead in their blood, and others are still awaiting their test results, the spokesman said.

Gambling revenue in Macau rose 45% in April from a year earlier, as mainland Chinese visitors to the world's largest gambling market helped push the results to a third straight monthly record.

Macau is the only place in China where casinos are legal. Gambling-revenue growth in the territory has been on a tear since the end of 2009, despite local government policies to slow the booming industry and encourage a more measured pace of growth.

Gambling revenue in Macau rose to 20.51 billion Macanese patacas (US$2.56 billion) last month, from 14.19 billion patacas a year earlier, Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said Tuesday. The total for April surpassed the previous monthly record of 20.09 billion patacas, hit just a month earlier in March.

Three Chinese companies plan to seek nearly $3 billion from Hong Kong investors this month, according to people familiar with the matter, adding to a surge of initial public offerings in coming weeks just as the market shows new signs of flagging.

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. plans to seek up to $2.22 billion through a May 20 listing, said people familiar with the matter. It joins two others now expected this month, according to other people: Chinese chemical fiber manufacturer Billion Industrial Holdings Ltd., which is seeking up to $449 million, and flooring maker China Flooring Holding Co., which is seeking up to $300 million.

Showing a willingness to control rising prices with aggressive tactics, Chinese authorities on Friday fined consumer-goods maker Unilever PLC for talking publicly about planned price hikes, which the government said contributed to a scramble for products like soap and detergent in the inflation-hit country.

The National Development and Reform Commission, China's economic planning agency, fined Unilever two million yuan ($308,000), saying the Anglo-Dutch company had broken the law when it spread information about impending price increases and disrupted market order.

China's government is battling mounting inflation problems that run the risk of destabilizing the country. Inflation hit a 32-month high in March. China's consumer-price index jumped to 5.4% from a year earlier, the fastest rise since July 2008, as soaring commodity costs have driven food and consumer-goods companies to raise prices.

The fine issued to Unilever comes as Chinese consumers have grown fearful of the increasing costs of their food and other daily necessities. To soothe their woes, China's leaders, who believe state power is a critical component to maintaining economic growth and stability, have stepped in. But the Chinese government has limited tools to curb inflation in part because of its exchange-rate regime.

The Chinese government's heavy hand, while intended to maintain social calm, poses risks for companies operating in China, such as Unilever. Surging commodity costs are not only affecting the pocket books of consumers, but also many businesses' profit margins.

Unilever appears to be the only company that has been fined. A noodle maker, Tingyi Holding Corp., was given a warning over discussing price increases publicly, but no fine was issued.