Plants run by Foxconn are reportedly pumping heavy metals into nearby rivers

Aug 5, 2013 11:33 GMT  ·  By

Sources in Asia are telling the WSJ that two Apple suppliers, one of which is Foxconn Electronics, are dumping a black-green fluid, described as “sudsy,” into rivers.

Apple prides itself in slapping suppliers on the wrist every time they step over the line when it comes to toxic waste, but it seems the company’s audits are not enough to stop the likes of Foxconn and UniMicron from “pumping large amounts of toxic heavy metals into nearby rivers.”

This, according to a Wall Street Journal report stating that Chinese watchdogs are scrutinizing two Apple suppliers (which do business with other gadget makers as well) following allegations that “cast a spotlight on this industrial area roughly 40 miles west of Shanghai that has long supplied the global electronics industry.”

Chinese regulators are already up in arms over air/water/soil pollution, which makes these findings all the more serious.

Ding Yudong, the vice director of the local arm of China’s environmental regulator, reportedly said that “Local officials are investigating plants owned by Taiwanese companies Foxconn Technology Group and UniMicron Technology Corp.”

Both companies have reportedly issued statements, saying that the black-green fluid, described by locals as “sudsy,” is compliant with local laws.

I don’t know much about toxic materials, but I’m pretty sure a black-green goo can’t be too healthy for the fish.