For nearly half a century the U.S. government has protected American factory workers from occupational illness and injury, but a Salt Lake Tribune investigation shows such protections seldom extend to Chinese workers who now make most U.S. goods. In a four part series, reporter Loretta Tofani reveals how Chinese workers are dying slow, difficult deaths caused by the toxic chemicals they use to make products in virtually every industry for export to the U.S. and the world. Tofani visited 25 factories in China. She interviewed Chinese workers in hospitals, homes, and outside of their factories, observing first hand how Chinese workers routinely get fatal diseases or lose limbs making products for U.S. consumers. She obtained their medical records and talked to attorneys, business leaders, government officials, and labor activists. She examined thousands of import documents to reveal direct ties between U.S. companies, unsafe factories, and dying or maimed workers. Her investigation reveals that Chinese workers are paying the true price of cheap U.S. goods from China.
Tofani’s story was partially funded by CIR’s Dick Goldensohn Fund.
>> Read “American imports, Chinese deaths” in the Salt Lake Tribune.
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