China shuts battery factories due to lead poisoning

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Source: BBC

Battery factories across China have been closed amid fears about poisoning from metals used by the industry.

About 74 people have been detained this year after reports that more than 100 people were affected by lead and cadmium poisoning.

Reports from China suggests hundreds of factories have been closed as a result of efforts to tackle poisoning.

The rechargeable lead batteries are used in scooters, cars and some mobile phones.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13594890?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[buckrogers1965]

1. Wow, China holds poluters responsible for injuries or death.

Too bad America doesn't do the same thing to our rich people.

[IDemo]

2. Not always

http://www.controllingpollution.com/water-pollution-in-china/

This shocking mortality rate could easily be prevented if China’s government would change their attitude about regulation. Responsible parties currently get away with extreme pollution and the Chinese government quickly and quietly covers up each scandal in order to save face. Water pollution in China is largely due to these lax restrictions.

[izquierdista]

8. Saving face

China's "face" is getting to look a lot more like the face of Dorian Gray.

[groundloop]

3. Only when it gets so bad they can't brush it under the rug anymore

Clearly China doesn't have labor unions or government agencies dedicated to worker safety, and they could use a good dose of both.

[pnwmom]

6. We are way ahead of China on pollution laws. n/t

[WatsonT]

9. Yeah, if only we could be as anti-pollution as the Chinese

:eyes:

[PuffedMica]

4. Another reason why companies out source production overseas - they can avoid strict US regulations

Reports like this should cause consumers to pause and think. Those cheap Chinese goods come with a hidden price. China has lax enforcement of both health and environmental regulations. They poison their factory workers on the job, then poison the countryside with waste products.

[pnwmom]

7. +1. n/t

[DeSwiss]

5. It's a start.

K&R