A new investigation spearheaded by Chinese environmental groups has shed light on alleged international IT supply chains that could be linked to heavy metal poisoning instances in China. According to the new evidence, BT, Vodafone and 27 other IT firms could be contributing to dangerous manufacturing environments for Chinese workers.
The investigation, conducted by a 34-group coalition, has linked lead contamination cases to mobile phone battery production and computer circuit board manufacturing by foreign IT companies. Findings by the 34-strong environmental consortium indicate that some foreign firms may not be completely honest about the cleanliness of overseas production.
Over 4,000 people, the majority children, have been diagnosed with a blood stream containing unsafe amounts of lead just last year. According to the group, cases of heavy metal poisoning are growing in number across Chinese provinces. Although many of the cases have been reported, the group seeks to link these instances to Chinese factories.
The report will emphasise a global context by calling to light global IT firms whose higher-ups fail to provide public information on conditions in manufacturing facilities. The group aims to end low-cost production being run at the risk to local workers’ health.
So far, the environmental groups have named Shanghang Huaqiang Battery, which was involved in 121 cases of lead poisoning in children last year. According to the battery makers website, it supplies BT, Vodafone and several other leading mobile phone providers.
The NGOs have said the IT firms listed have been contacted, but responses have been mixed. BT and Vodafone have so far not responded to any of the group’s inquires.
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