Buffett-backed BYD denies its car factory emissions cause nosebleeds in children as government announces investigation
- BYD says online rumours alleging that emissions from its plant in Changsha cause nosebleeds are ‘malicious fabrication’
- The factory was put under a watch list for volatile organic compound polluters by the Changsha government last year
Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) maker BYD Co said the emissions from its plant in the southeastern city of Changsha are in line with the country’s standards, following allegations that pollution from the factory sickened children in nearby residences.
While the Shenzhen-based car manufacturer said emissions released by its facilities in Changsha “comply with national regulations and standards”, it admitted the factory may have caused odours in the neighbouring residential area, according to a statement released on Saturday on its official account on Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like platform.
“The company has taken relevant measures, and is actively improving the situation,” said BYD, whose shareholders include Berkshire Hathaway run by US billionaire Warren Buffett. Online rumours alleging that its plant’s emissions caused nosebleeds were “malicious fabrication”, it said.
Some online users have also accused the company of causing nosebleeds, nausea and coughing in more than 600 children, according to Weibo posts over the weekend.