Toxic runner tracks sicken China pupils

BEIJING — Schools across China have been ordered to remove running tracks made from toxic materials that have been blamed for sickening students, in the latest in a long line of product scandals blamed on corruption and weak oversight. The issue points to slack building standards at the nation’s schools, underscored by the deaths of three female middle school students when a brick wall was blown over by a strong gale in the city of Shijiazhuang southwest of Beijing. Another student was seriously injured in the incident Wednesday night, the city’s government reported. A statement on the Education Ministry’s website said nationwide inspections by environmental and consumer protection departments have been ordered over the summer school break.