In response to the petitions raised by activist groups China Labor Watch and Green America, Apple has announced that the use of hazardous chemicals namely benzene and n-hexane in the assembly lines of the factories is prohibited.
Benzene causes leukemia and several blood related disorders and n-hexane causes neurotic damage when not handled properly. These two chemicals are normally found in detergents and solvents used to clean machinery and electronic devices. Exposure to these chemicals could create serious disorders.
Apple has committed to protect the workers involved in the production of its devices from these chemicals and also adopt other cleaner practices in order to stop the water and air pollutions caused due to the usage of these substances.
After a petition raised by these activist groups gathering 23,000 signatures five months ago, Apple conducted an investigation in all of its 22 factories which engage in the manufacturing of iDevices and found that 18 of its factories do not use these products and the 4 factories using substances containing the chemicals, restrict the usage to under acceptable limits. Those plants which use these chemicals are located in Brazil, California, Ireland and Texas.
However, Apple is lowering the maximum acceptable amounts of benzene and n-hexane labours can be exposed to. While the chemicals are still allowed to be used in the early stages of production, they are completely banned in the assembly lines.
Apple Vice President of Environmental Initiatives, Lisa Jackson said in a statement that the company considers it “really important” to lead the way by adopting “greener chemistries.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the company can use its “market muscle” to identify and adopt environmentally friendly practices. He also promised that the list of hazardous chemicals which Apple depends on to use in its factories will be gradually shortened to maintain better work environment for its employees and protect air and water quality.
