Buick sedan beats Shanghai leukemia boy
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2004-12-17 09:01

A Shanghai ruled against the grandfather of a young leukemia patient who claimed the disease was caused by poisoned air inside the family Buick.

The decision was handed down yesterday by the Pudong New Area People's Court.

Zhu Yunhe, the boy's grandfather, said he would appeal.

Zhu, a Songjiang District resident, said he bought a Buick sedan from Shanghai Wenyang Auto Sales Service Co Ltd, an authorized sales agent for Shanghai General Motors Co Ltd, on March 1.

Four weeks later, his 3-year-old grandson was diagnosed with leukemia, although a blood test in February showed him to be disease free.

The sudden onset of the disease raised the family's suspicions about the new car.

"There was a strong smell in the car, and I sometimes felt discomfort in my eyes while driving," said Zhu. "My grandson often rode and played in the car, but we never thought it would threaten his health."

A subsequent air quality test conducted by the Shanghai Indoor Decoration Quality Supervision and Inspection Station showed that levels of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds exceeded maximum limits, while the benzene content met standards.

Zhu then filed a lawsuit against Shanghai GM in the name of his grandson, seeking more than 370,000 yuan (US$44,578) to cover medical expenses and mental anguish.

Shanghai GM denied the boy's disease was related to its product.

"All vehicles produced by our company pass quality tests based on national standards," said Fu Yin, a public relations officer at Shanghai GM. "They don't threaten personal security."

In the end, the court based its ruling on an assessment from the Shanghai Medical Association.

The experts said the benzene - the most likely chemical to induce leukemia - didn't exceed safe levels.

In addition, the experts noted, acute leukemia takes considerable time to develop, while the boy contracted the disease shortly after the car was bought.

The court accepted the assessment that the boy's disease was not caused by the car's interior atmosphere and rejected the complaint.

Close

China braces for Miss Plastic Surgery The premiere of "Kung Fu Hustle" Posh in Chinese charity ad

Today's Top News     Top Life News
Japan urged to repeal visa for Lee Teng-hui         EU to debate China arms embargo at summit         First film rating scheme in the making         Courts: Economic cases get priority         Foreign airlines face safety checks for entry         Saddam holds first meeting with lawyer	China braces for Miss Plastic Surgery       Posh in Chinese charity ad       Blooming bamboo endangers pandas       Chen Ning Yang, 82, to marry a 28-year-old woman       China will regulate film ticket prices       Top director's new endeavour