Arsenic and Old Lace? Paradise Lost? or For A Fistful of Dollars?
Tonights offering for your acceptance, submitted for your approval. Industrialization, global demand, low wages, sweet heart taxation deals, and limited enforcement of environmental regulations serve as incentives for the global migration of manufacturing to developing countries such as Mexico, China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. (Now the third largest manufacturer of semiconductor chips.)
In and of itself, the microelectronics manufacturing process is accompanied by a high incidence of occupational illnesses, which reflect the widespread use of toxic materials. Exposure to radiation, metals, photoactive chemicals, solvents, acids, and toxic gases are common in this industry.
In most manufacturing and industrialized environments, occupational and environmental exposure to Arsenic is very common. When industrial manufacturing has been introduced, whether for domestic purpose, or the outsourcing needs of global corporations, the risk of developing arsenic-induced human diseases from exposure has become particularly high.
Exposure occurs mainly through inhalation via nonferrous ore smelting, semiconductor and glass manufacturing, or power generation by the burning of arsenic-contaminated coal. (The latter being China's main source of energy.) But the more insideous method is through oral exposure, which occurs through consumption of contaminated water and via the food chain.
Chronic exposure of humans to inorganic arsenical compounds is associated with liver injury, peripheral neuropathy, birth defects and an increased incidence of lung, skin, bladder, and liver cancer. Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a serious environmental problem worldwide.
A large number of contaminated sites have been identified and there are literally Billions of people at risk. For example, it is estimated that as many as 50 million people are at risk in Bangladesh alone, where both acute and chronic arsenic poisoning as well as increased cancer incidence have been reported.
Over the last few decades, the ruling class in developing countries have been eager to grasp the opportunity for economic growth, whilst environmentally, looking the other way. But at what future cost? This is a case found filed under P for paradise lost, and the real question is: Will todays economic dancing for a fistful of dollars, compensate for tommorrows ecological nightmare and genetic hangover?
In and of itself, the microelectronics manufacturing process is accompanied by a high incidence of occupational illnesses, which reflect the widespread use of toxic materials. Exposure to radiation, metals, photoactive chemicals, solvents, acids, and toxic gases are common in this industry.
In most manufacturing and industrialized environments, occupational and environmental exposure to Arsenic is very common. When industrial manufacturing has been introduced, whether for domestic purpose, or the outsourcing needs of global corporations, the risk of developing arsenic-induced human diseases from exposure has become particularly high.
Exposure occurs mainly through inhalation via nonferrous ore smelting, semiconductor and glass manufacturing, or power generation by the burning of arsenic-contaminated coal. (The latter being China's main source of energy.) But the more insideous method is through oral exposure, which occurs through consumption of contaminated water and via the food chain.
Chronic exposure of humans to inorganic arsenical compounds is associated with liver injury, peripheral neuropathy, birth defects and an increased incidence of lung, skin, bladder, and liver cancer. Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a serious environmental problem worldwide.
A large number of contaminated sites have been identified and there are literally Billions of people at risk. For example, it is estimated that as many as 50 million people are at risk in Bangladesh alone, where both acute and chronic arsenic poisoning as well as increased cancer incidence have been reported.
Over the last few decades, the ruling class in developing countries have been eager to grasp the opportunity for economic growth, whilst environmentally, looking the other way. But at what future cost? This is a case found filed under P for paradise lost, and the real question is: Will todays economic dancing for a fistful of dollars, compensate for tommorrows ecological nightmare and genetic hangover?
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