China health chief: Songhua River spill a major problem

China’s top health official today said the pollution of the Songhua River by a chemical spill was a big problem which has highlighted the country’s need to have contingency plans for emergencies.

Water supplies in the major north-east city of Harbin were switched off for five days because of the November 13 explosion at a chemical plant that spewed toxins – including cancer-causing benzene – into the river.