A paper mill has promised to improve its production techniques to reduce leaking fumes which have been disturbing nearby residents for three weeks.

Residents in a complex on Hunan Road in Nanhui District have been complaining about the fumes, Xinmin.cn reported today.

They told reporters the fumes started every morning and spread throughout the complex. Even in a sealed room you could still smell the fumes. Pregnant women were concerned, said one resident surnamed Yao.

Another resident surnamed Sun said they noticed the fumes three weeks ago. They complained to the district environmental protection bureau and the government but have only been told that the case is being investigated.

Residents searched for the source of the fumes and targeted Chung Loong Paper Holdings Ltd in the nearby industrial zone.

A property owner surnamed Li called the district environmental protection bureau but was told officials were working on the case and might release results today.

An unnamed bureau official said the bureau had received many complaints about the fumes and was working hard on the case. If the company does not solve the problem in a short period, it will be punished.

The company admitted its waste water treatment was causing fumes. The higher the temperature was, the stronger the smell, the head of the company, a man surnamed Gao said.

Gao said the factory had been surrounded by farms years ago when it was built. But now the farms are being replaced by residential complexes.

He said the company is planning to reduce the smell by improving its production techniques.

(Shanghai Daily July 15, 2009)