More on Chinese cadmium pollution scare

Seems that the Chinese government was motivated to arrest some polluters after they (and other factories) dumped toxic cadmium in a river.  It appears that the government is getting the message that if they don't take action against polluters, the public will take action against THEM.

China detains seven over river pollution scandal

"China has detained seven company executives after suspected industrial waste discharges polluted a river with toxic cadmium, threatening drinking supplies for millions, state media said Tuesday.

The discharges have contaminated a 100-kilometre (60-mile) stretch of the Longjiang River in the southern region of Guangxi, sparking panic buying of bottled water in nearby cities, the official China Daily reported.

Jinhe Mining Co. has been blamed for dumping cadmium -- a carcinogen which can seriously damage the kidneys, bones and respiratory system -- into the river, in a spill that was discovered on January 15. But the government has decided to widen the crackdown to go after other polluters, inspecting more than a dozen factories on the river and stopping production at seven plants.

Feng Zhennian, a local environment official, told reporters that seven executives from companies deemed responsible for polluting the river had been taken into custody, the state-run Xinhua news agency said late Monday."

Unfortunately for the polluters, the likeliest outcome in this situation for them, whether we like it or not, is execution. That's a little harsh in my book, but maybe not in the eyes of the people who want some action.