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Story Publication logo October 6, 2007

China: Deadly Toxic Exposures

Country:

China

Author:

Loretta Tofani
Grantee

English

Reporter Loretta Tofani gets inside America's factory, China, where the lack of health and safety...

Loretta Tofani
Grantee

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A protest by factory workers who have high levels of cadmium in their blood or urine. Some have renal damage. The workers made batteries for U.S. companies, including Rayovac, EverReady and Panasonic, according to import documents. Photo Credit: Globalization Monitor.

A factory where battery workers handled nickel cadmium. Photo Credit: Globalization Monitor.

This photo was taken in a factory in China that exports furniture to the U.S. The workers do not always use masks while painting, and do not use ventilated spray booths for painting, as required under U.S. OSHA regulations. The dust and paint particles are still in the air. Paint contains carcinogenic tuolene and/or benzene and have caused leukemia in Chinese factory workers making products for the U.S. Image by Loretta Tofani. China, 2007.

Chen Faju, 31, in her hospital bed in Dongguan's Dong Hua Hospital. Chen has myelodysplastic anemia, which advances to leukemia, as a result of brushing toxic glues on soles of sport shoes exported to the U.S. Image by Loretta Tofani. China, 2007.

This woman has been suffering from kidney damage as a result of a poisonous level of cadmium in her blood, from making batteries for such U.S. companies as Panasonic, Rayovac and EverReady. Image by Loretta Tofani. China, 2007.

Three former factory workers who have high levels of cadmium in their blood and serious medical problems from making nickel-cadmium batteries for U.S. export. Left to right: Chen Honghuan, Liu Hongmei and Xie Xinrong. Image by Loretta Tofani. China, 2007.

Ms. He Yuyun, who has myelodysplastic anemia, a precursor to leukemia, as a result of painting furniture for U.S. export. She tries to do tai chi every day by this pond, near the hospital, in an effort to increase her energy. Image by Loretta Tofani. China, 2007.