Benzene pollution sparks panic buying of bottled water in Lanzhou  

兰州自来水苯含量超标：市民抢购矿泉水 局部停水

People snap up bottled water at a supermarket in Lanzhou, Gansu province, April 11, 2014. Tap water in downtown Lanzhou has been found to contain excessive levels of benzene. [Photo / Chinanews.com]

Lanzhou (ECNS) -- Citizens in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu province, are rushing to buy bottled water after excessive levels of benzene were found in tap water in the city on Friday.

Tests showed that tap water contained 200 micrograms of benzene per liter, far exceeding the national standard of 10 micrograms per liter, according to Veolia Water, the water supplier for urban residents in Lanzhou.

An earlier test by the company on Thursday found that tap water contained 118 micrograms of benzene per liter.

Preliminary analysis of the company suggests that pollutants released from local chemical plants of the city may be linked with the high level benzene contamination.

Bottled water in many supermarkets has been sold out after the case was exposed.

Emergency supply of safe drinking water will be offered to residents in the city.

Benzene is a colorless liquid which is often used to make plastics. Excessive benzene may increase the risk of cancer.