The All-China Environmental Federation is suing Jiangyin Port Container Co in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, in what is believed to be one of the first public lawsuits involving an environmental organisation as the main plaintiff.

The federation said it had received a complaint from more than 80 households in Junshan district in May, related to the handling of iron ore powder shipments by Jiangyin Port Container.

An investigation group sent to the area by the federation to validate the claim, said that the distance between the company’s freight yard and the surrounding residential areas was less than 50 metres. Company workers begin washing iron ore powder at 5:00am every day and the wastewater is discharged untreated into the Xibei Canal and the Yangtze River through underground sewage pipes. The drinking water sources of Wuxi and Jiangyin are both located on the lower reaches of the river.

The noise and dust caused by the company during its operation and transportation have severely affected the surrounding environment, according to the investigators. The federation held that Jiangyin had violated the laws related to the environmental impact assessment, and the prevention and control of air, water and noise pollution.

It was reported that Jiangsu Provincial Intermediate People’s Court had placed the case on file for investigation and possible prosecution.

The All-China Environmental Federation is a non-profit civil society organisation, which is supported by the government and whose members include environmentally active organisations and individuals. Its aim is to serve as a bridge between the government and the public in implementing a sustainable development strategy.