More than 40 schoolchildren in northeast China's Liaoning Province have fallen sick a week after they moved into newly-furnished classrooms, families and doctors said on Sunday.

At least 45 primary and secondary school students were sent to a hospital in the provincial capital Shenyang Saturday and Sunday from Panjin, a city 100 kilometers to its south.

"The children all complained of nausea and fragility in the limbs," said a father who only gave his son's name as Wang Zhenji. "More students are probably arriving later during the day."

The students are under observation at Shengjing Hospital affiliated to the Chinese University of Medical Sciences. Hospital sources said they were receiving further checkups to decide whether it was poisoning.

The children included primary and secondary school students at Shalingzhen School in Panshan County in Panjin. They all pointed a finger to the newly painted classroom walls and new furniture, which "gave out a sickening odor".

An official with the provincial health department said they have launched an investigation and have sent a medical team to Panshan County, where more students are feared sick.

School authorities ruled out likelihood for food poisoning in a telephone interview with Xinhua on Sunday.

Health experts have repeatedly warned homebuyers of toxic emissions in their new homes, particularly cancer-causing benzene that is often found in paint and formaldehyde which is commonly used in kitchen cabinets, shelving, countertops and ready-to-assemble furniture.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2007)