GUANGZHOU: Thousands of residents in the Panyu district in this Guangdong provincial capital have signed a petition opposing construction of a garbage incinerator in their neighborhood.

"Although relevant government departments have promised the facility will meet the State's environment protection requirements, we still worry the project will pollute the environment and harm our health," said a resident from Riverside Garden housing development.

Burning garbage will generate dioxin, which can cause cancers, said the resident, who only gave his family name Wang.