“Chen and colleagues from the workshop were hospitalized for chronic anemia and myelodysplastic anemia, beginning in 2002, a result of brushing toxic glues for years onto the soles of New Balance and other sport shoes sold in the U.S. photo The shoes were made by 30,000 workers in the Yue Yuen industrial park in the city of Dongguan.” Full Story »
Posted by Margarita Persico
We worried about Chinese imports, but the people making them are exposed daily to them and their fate is worse. This story is focused on the plight of the Chinese workers. They are dying of poisonous diseases caused by their occupation, and many at a young age, according to investigative reporter Loretta Tofani of the Salt Lake Tribune. Also employee’s exposure to toxins and death per capita is higher than any other country, and they have more occupational accidents. Western trade with China has hurt many Chinese, though it has improved their economic status. Though laws are in place to protect Chinese workers, they have not been enforced in many industries, the report says. Tofani does a good job exposing this problem, which as consumers, many don’t know how much it is hurting the workers.
